Lichtgedanken 04

Rubrik 50 Partners can reduce the risk of depression Scientists from several German universities have been researching couple relationships and their dynamics as part of a long-term study. They have recently found that, often, it is not crisis situations that lead to separations. The German Research Foundation (DFG) has now extended funding into the study. How do couples get together? How do they structure their relationship? Why do some stay together and some not? For the past ten years, researchers from various German universities have been investigating the dynamics of partner- ships and families within the Federal Republic of Germany as part of the 14- year longitudinal study »Panel Analysis of Intimate Relationships and Family Dynamics« (Pairfam). They have been surveying 12,000 people each year, as well as their partners, parents and children. Now the DFG has extended financing for the project and promised funding of around 7.6 million euros for the next two years— 1.6 million euros of this funding will go to the University of Jena. »We are thrilled that the DFG will con- tinue to finance this excellent research enterprise, which does not just provide the researchers working on the project, but also many colleagues in Germany and abroad with valuable data and information«, says Prof. Dr Franz J. Neyer, who has been working on Pair- fam since 2014, along with colleagues BY SEBASTIAN HOLLSTEIN from Bremen, Chemnitz, Cologne and Munich. Together with his colleague Dr Christine Finn and some Jena early-ca- reer researchers, he has obtained some fascinating findings over the past two years as part of Pairfam. »Together with Canadian partners, we have managed to further reveal the correlation between feelings of self- esteem and depression within a couple relationship«, explains Neyer. »Thus, a low sense of self-esteem often increases a person’s propensity to depression; but a partner with a greater sense of self- esteem can have a positive effect on them and can counteract the higher risk of suffering from depression.« Disagreements between partners are often a reason for separation A further result from the findings provides answers to one of the most common questions regarding relation- ships: Why do some pairs stay together for life and others split? »Without a lon- gitudinal study like Pairfam it would be very hard to elucidate this problem«, ex- plains Christine Finn. »It is the only way that we can observe the development of a relationship, from the beginning to the end—and to do so from the perspective of both partners.« This is precisely what they have done and, in doing so, have ascertained that the perception of the needs of the indi- viduals within a relationship is decisive for the journey along a common path. Couples who agree with one another, develop in sync and »gradually move together in harmony«. As a result, it is not generally dramatic crisis situations that are responsible for separations; but rather personal characteristics, which are set from the start. As far as the data from the surveys over the coming years is concerned, the Jena psychologists hope to reach further illuminating conclusions—not least as, with the continued financing by the DFG, it will now be possible to also survey millennials. This generation offers completely new perspectives; for example, concerning the impact that the internet has on relationships. Having a strong partner by your side can help to prevent depression.