The effect of parenthood on health behaviour: A longitudinal perspective taking into account social and societal contexts

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Nadine Reibling, since 6/2022
• Subject Area: Empirical Social Research
• Term: since 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 451944057

The project investigates how parenthood affects the health behaviour of men and women. Role theory and network theory provide conflicting expectations regarding the direction of the parenthood effect and its development across the life course. On the one hand, the parent role may encourage healthy behaviour through daily routines, responsibility, and increased social control. Constraints on time and energy resulting from parenthood, on the other hand, may foster unhealthy behaviour, at least temporarily. Despite much research on the effect of parenthood on mortality, physical health and psychological well-being, relatively little is known about its influence on concrete health behaviours. The existing literature documents differences between parents and childless men and women. But the research design in most studies often does not allow conclusions regarding a causal effect and its development over time, particularly for Germany. Moreover, there are only few studies that look at differences in the effect of parenthood on health behaviours by social and societal contexts. Against this background, this project investigates the effect of parenthood on health behaviours and its development from pregnancy to children’s teenage years through a secondary analysis of available German and international panel data. In addition to a comparison of health behaviours between parents and childless men and women these data allow an assessment of behavioural changes before and after the birth of the first child. Comparing the effect across social contexts defined by socio-economic status and family structure and across countries with specific institutional and cultural differences and similarities then sheds light on the role of social and societal contexts in moderating the parenthood effect. The project provides valuable insights about the opportunities and barriers for health behaviours driven by the transition to parenthood. Likewise, it sheds light on the mechanisms through which family processes such as parenthood contribute to inequality in health and life expectancy. Assessing the moderating role of social contexts can inform targeted policies for promoting the health of vulnerable groups. The international comparison contributes to our understanding of the relevance of family policy for health and well-being, going beyond its immediate effects on labour market outcomes.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Ehemaliger Antragsteller: Dr. Michael Kühhirt, until 5/2022