Current Research Projects

PAR2: A New Science of Parenthood (ERC Consolidator Grant)

The PAR2 project investigates parenthood as a major life transition that influences our social behavior and social skills. Both genetic and environmental factors are taken into account.

Project members from the chair:

  • Prof. Dr. Tina Kretschmer

  • Dr. Yentl Koopmans

  • Annika Klugmann, M.Sc.

  • Theresa Zickert, M.Sc.

Here you can find the project description.

Children Become Adults

The project “Children Become Adults” is the continuation of a longitudinal study that began 30 years ago. It investigates what changes in human behavior and experience over the course of aging, what remains stable, and what role childhood experiences play in these processes.

Staff member:

  • Julia Festini, M.Sc.

Here you can find the project description.

Development of Personality Functioning, Psychological Distress, and Psychological Well-Being During the Transition to Adulthood: A Longitudinal Study Across the First 18 Years of Life

Project members from the chair:

  • Dr. Johanna Behringer (Principal Investigator)

  • Julia Festini, M.Sc. (Co-Principal Investigator in the project, data collection 2025/26)

Here you can find the project description.

Attachment, Learning Motivation, and Psychological Distress in Adolescents After Pandemic-Related Contact Restrictions: Can Secure Attachments Protect Against Losses in Motivation and Psychopathological Distress?

Project members from the chair:

  • Dr. Johanna Behringer (Principal Investigator)

  • Julia Festini, M.Sc. (Co-Principal Investigator)

Adolescent Project – Here you can find the project description.

D-CARE / M-CARE: Parent–Child Interaction and Its Neurobiological Correlates

This interdisciplinary and multimodal project on the neurobiological correlates of parent–child interaction examines how parents’ mental models of their own childhood experiences (attachment representations), as well as those of their children, are related to different aspects of the parent–child relationship.

Project members from the chair:

  • Dr. Melanie Kungl

  • Prof. Dr. Gottfried Spangler

  • Dr. Sandra Gabler

Here you can find the project description.

Attachment & Romantic Relationships

  • Attachment representations and romantic relationships as influencing factors on emotion regulation and parenting behavior (English) – Project description

  • Changes in parental partnerships during return to work and entry into daycare

Interest Development & Learning Strategies

  • Interest development in infancy and early childhood

  • Interests and learning strategies in primary school age