Study Participation

Stress and resilience factors during relationship transitions (STAR_T)

flyer

Aims of the study:

• Training in dealing with partnership conflicts
• Improving the mental health of the whole family
• Improved understanding of the effects of conflict

Who can participate?

• People in a partnership who want to improve their communication and conflict resolution skills
• with a child between the ages of 11 and 17 inclusive
• living in 1 household
• with access to an internet-enabled smartphone
• German-speaking

Procedure

After an initial interview and saliva sample collection, participation in the PAARweise online training programme takes place over 11 weeks. After completion of the training, three further interviews will take place.

Your benefits

• Free participation in the PAARweise training programme
• Vouchers worth €90 for each adult and €50 for each participating child
• Valuable contribution to psychological couple and family research

Interested?

If you are interested, please visit us on Instagram, on our website or contact us by email. We look forward to your participation!

The study was set up for parents who have had a baby and feel stressed since the birth due to a difficult birth process. 

You can reach us on Tuesdays between 13:30 and 15:00 and on Wednesdays between 11:00 and 13:00 on 06221-56-34438 (otherwise via answering machine) or generally by e-mail at: BELA.PMED(at)med.uni-heidelberg.de

Further information in the flyer: Bela study

Endometriosis is a complex disease that affects 10-15% of all women of childbearing age. Chronic pain is the main symptom of the disease. Social factors, such as living together in a relationship, influence pain management and the degree of stress caused by the disease.

Aim and process of the study 

The study investigates the influence of social interactions between endometriosis patients and their partner on the processing of chronic lower abdominal pain. This is done with the help of short everyday life interviews (EMA) (twice 7 days with a 3-week break) and a mini-couple intervention. In addition, we are investigating the role of the hormone oxytocin using saliva samples.

The study will be remunerated with 150 euros/person.

The study will be performed in German.

Do you wish to participate?

We are looking for women with diagnosed endometriosis and their partner. Participation is possible if:

• You are participating as a couple
• You are between 18 and 45 years old
• the relationship has lasted longer than 6 months and you live together as a couple
• the person diagnosed with endometriosis has a monthly menstrual cycle
• there are no additional diagnoses of other chronic pain disorders
• you are not pregnant

If you are interested or have any questions, please contact us by email: sip(at)med.uni-heidelberg.de 

We look forward to hearing from you!

Heidelberg University Hospital
M.Sc. Zoe Wörner
Prof. B. Ditzen

Pregnancy and the first time with a baby are often a period of life accompanied by feelings of happiness. However, this time can also bring many challenges. Special circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic, can be additional stressors in the transition to parenthood and affect the psychological well-being of young families.

Aim and process of the study

The SCHWAN study examines how the subjective experience of stress and the physical stress response (assessed via saliva samples) in the transition to parenthood affect the couple and parent-child relationship as well as child development. The study includes four appointments from pregnancy through the end of the child's first year of life. You will participate in the first two appointments online from home. When your child is 9 or 12 months old, we will invite you and your child to visit us at the Institute of Medical Psychology.

Interested in participating?

•     You are at least 18 years old
•   You are at least 26 weeks pregnant and are not expecting multiples
•   You are fluent in German
•   The participation of your partner (online questionnaire) is desired, but not required.

If you are interested or have any questions, please contact us by e-mail:
schwan.psych(at)med.uni-heidelberg.de or by phone at 06221 56 37006.

Or start the study directly at (in German):
https://ww2.unipark.de/uc/schwan-studie/

We look forward to hearing from you!

Prof. B. Ditzen & Dr. N. Nonnenmacher, Heidelberg University Hospital
Prof. A.-L. Zietlow, TU Dresden
Prof. C. Reck, LMU Munich

Background:

Depression is one of the most widespread mental disorders. Depression affects many areas of experience and behaviour and is often accompanied by changes in emotion regulation and stress regulation.
Despite significant progress in the development of treatment options, one third of all depressed patients respond inadequately to treatment. Against this background, the development and research of new treatment options is of particular importance.
In the MUSED study, we are investigating whether music group therapy can effectively supplement the treatment of depressed women.

What are the aims of the study?

The MUSED study is investigating what contribution music therapy can make to the treatment of depression in women. Since music directly addresses our emotions and influences our experience of stress, it is reasonable to assume that music therapy can be an effective supplement in the treatment of depression.

The aim of music therapy is to alleviate the symptoms of depression as well as to reduce possible negative effects on physical health, such as stress, and to increase well-being.
The effectiveness of music therapy is to be evaluated using psychological and psychobiological measurements.

The study will proceed as follows:

At the beginning of the study, a diagnostic screening and an online survey will be carried out at the Institute of Medical Psychology. This is followed by two consecutive days of psychophysiological measurements in everyday life with a 48-hour ECG and saliva collection 6 times a day. On the following day, questionnaires are again completed over the course of an hour.
The intervention phase lasts around 10 weeks. Participants are randomly assigned to either the intervention group (10 sessions of music therapy and standard treatment) or the waiting list control group (initially standard treatment, music therapy takes place after all measurements have been completed). During music therapy, the participants will both play music themselves and listen to music. However, no previous musical experience or skills are required.
After the intervention phase, measurements are taken again at our Institute for Medical Psychology, as well as measurements in everyday life over two days.

Who can take part?

Women between the ages of 18 and 65 who suffer from depression are being sought to take part in the MUSED study from now until summer 2020. All participants will receive a music therapy group treatment with 10 sessions of 120 minutes each.

Contact and contact person:

The study is closed. No further participants will be accepted.