Public Mental Health

1. Head of department
2. Scientists

In the Public Mental Health research area, epidemiological studies, systematic reviews and meta-analyses are used to investigate the (mental) health and well-being of women and families in particular. The peripartum period, work-life balance and domestic violence are topics that Prof. Dr. habil. Garthus-Niegel is currently working on in several studies. For example, the DFG-funded multi-method cohort study DREAM(DResdnerStudy on Parenthood, Workand MentalHealth) provides a differentiated view of the interactions between parenthood, employment and mental health over the course of a lifetime. The ongoing joint project RESPECT (A Prospective Mixed-Methods-REsearchProject on SubjectiveBirth Experience and PErson-centred Carein ParenTsand Obstetric Health Care Staff) also addresses central aspects of prevention and care in transitional phases of life - such as around birth, partnership and work - and contributes to the evidence-based further development of person-centered prevention approaches.
The HAP3(Health Adaptationto Pregnancy, Postpartumand Parenthood) project is a research network with eleven doctoral students from five European countries that is developing a family app and a dashboard for professionals to support parents around pregnancy and childbirth with a healthy lifestyle, including healthy weight, mental health, nutrition, sleep and physical activity.
The projects not only complement the Chair's focus on prevention across life stages, but also strengthen FB6's profile in the field of gender-specific and family-related health research.

One focus is the multi-method cohort study DREAM - DResdnerStudy on Parenthood, Workand MentalHealth, which is aimed at (expectant) parents. After the first successful extension _DREAMon, the second extension _DREAMup is now also being funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). This makes it possible to prospectively examine the relationship between parenthood, work and the health of the entire family over seven measurement points to date and to identify potential correlations. The study includes questionnaires, biopsychological and epigenetic measures and qualitative interviews. The participants are followed from pregnancy until they are 7.5 years old. Surveys will be conducted until the children reach young adulthood in order to investigate long-term developments.

The interdisciplinary joint project RESPECT (A Prospective Mixed-Methods-REsearchProject on SubjectiveBirth Experience and PErson-centred Carein ParenTsand Obstetric Health Care Staff) has been running since November 2022 with the aim of conducting a systematic and open survey of the subjective birth experience and relevant factors before, during and after the birth. This is a longitudinal study with four surveys (T1: late pregnancy, T2: 8 weeks, T3: 6 months postpartum, T4: 24 months postpartum), and a quantitative and qualitative survey of a large number of (expectant) parents. In addition, interviews with obstetric staff on their own role in the birth experience and on knowledge and attitudes towards person-centered obstetric care will be conducted and qualitatively evaluated.

HAP3 - Healthy Adaptationto Pregnancy, Postpartumand Parenthood - is a European research network funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks. The aim is to develop innovative digital health solutions to support parents around pregnancy and childbirth with a healthy lifestyle, including healthy weight, mental health, nutrition, sleep and physical activity.
At the Institute and Polyclinic for Occupational and Social Medicine (IPAS), the focus is on testing the feasibility of a family app and dashboard to support parents and professionals. The primary focus is on feasibility: Acceptance, usability and engagement with the family app. Secondarily, possible effects on mental health, eating behavior, weight, sleep and physical activity of mothers and partners are recorded. Child development, temperament, parent-child bonding and parenting skills in the first six months after birth are also being investigated.
The project is training eleven international doctoral students from five European countries (Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Ireland and Denmark) to become experts in innovative childbirth care. Each doctoral student completes a joint PhD at two European universities.

Further study information:
DREAM - Danish Study on Parenthood, Work and Mental Health
RESPECT - Systematic survey of the subjective birth experience
HAP3 - Healthy Adaption to Pregnancy, Postpartum and Parenthood

Further projects
COST Action TREASURE
A high level of perinatal stress in the mother can have a negative impact on the health of the offspring. Studies show that maternal stress can be transmitted to the next generation via various mechanisms of the hormonal and immune system as well as epigenetics - this is also known as transgenerational transmission of stress. The consequences can be both short-term (premature birth, low birth weight) and long-term (neuroinflammation, autism).

The aim of the TREASURE project is to improve the development of the offspring and promote their health throughout their lives. To this end, a multidisciplinary and international network of scientists, clinicians, students, interest groups, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and companies has been created to exchange and bring together knowledge, findings and experience between scientific disciplines internationally. In this way, Europe-wide clinical guidelines and preventive practices will be created to improve child health and reduce the economic costs of high levels of maternal perinatal stress.

TREASURE (COST Action 22114) is led by Dr. Rafael A. Caparros Gonzalez (University of Granada, Spain) and Prof. Susan Garthus-Niegel (TU Dresden, Germany) and funded by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology). COST is a funding agency for research and innovation networks.

ECHO Study
The study "Emotional experience and challenges during pregnancy and in the first year after birth" (ECHO) investigates how this special time is experienced emotionally and what emotional challenges and stresses can occur. The study is based on a one-off online survey of people who were pregnant at the time of the survey or who had given birth within the last 12 months. A particular focus is on the survey of depressive symptoms, with the aim of better recording their occurrence in this phase of life and supporting diagnosis according to current criteria. Overall, the results of the study contribute to a deeper understanding of the emotional experience, which is of fundamental importance for optimally adapted care.

INTERSECT

Completed studies:
INVITE(INtimatepartner VIolencecare and TreatmentprEferences) represents another large study in the research area that has now been completed. The aim of this DFG-funded study was to investigate the use of care and counseling services for women after childbirth. Various factors were included, such as women's health, which could support access to suitable services.
INVITE - INtimate partner VIolence Treatment prEferences

The results of our research activities can be found in the publications of FB6. Further media contributions are linked on the respective project homepages.

News:

In an interview with ZDFheute, Prof. Susan Garthus-Niegel talks about the topic of birth-related trauma

Tagesspiegel: Die gefährlichste Zeit der Mutterschaft - Mit dem Baby kam die Depression Prof.in Dr. Garthus-Niegel was interviewed as an expert in the Tagesspiegel series on postpartum depression.

Podcast contribution "Die Frauenärztin" on Podimo.de (registration required)
Prof. Dr. Garthus-Niegel can be heard in the podcast "Die Frauenärztin" as an expert on pregnancy and birth experiences.

Our research department offers the opportunity to write doctoral and master's theses and complete research internships. Interested parties are welcome to contact Prof. Dr. Garthus-Niegel directly.

There are also regular vacancies for Student Assistants in our research area. If you are interested, you are also welcome to send an unsolicited application to Prof. Dr. Garthus-Niegel by e-mail.