The Research Process
The RIPPLE longitudinal study was designed to investigate the birth of a family - identifying factors that may be involved in the formation of family and the detreminties of family members’ functioning and development. Rooted in a family systems approach, The RIPPLE Project was set up to capture the intricate multifaceted relational matrix between the family members, including the romantic couple system, the parenting system,
the coparental system, and the child’s system, as well as the parents’ own life history.
Addressing this aim, 108 families were recruited to the RIPPLE Project during the third trimester of pregnancy, expecting their first child. The families of fathers, mothers and the child were assessed prenatally, and at 3, 6, 9, 18, 24, 48, and 90 months postpartum. Data was collected through lab visits, home visits, telephone interviews, and online questionnaires.
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Our mixed-method design incorporates self-reports, in-depth interviews, observational measures, and biomarkers to offer a comprehensive investigation of complex socio-emotional human functioning.
Key areas of focus include:
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Parental Mentalizing - verbal and embodied
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Emotion regulation
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Attachment Security
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Stress and resilience
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Empathy
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Coparenting
By combining traditional research methods with progressive, experimental approaches, the RIPPLE Project aims to provide valuable insights into early family life and its lasting impact on child development. Our findings contribute to the scientific understanding of family dynamics and inform strategies for supporting new parents and promoting healthy childhood outcomes.
