Predictors and moderators of outcomes following a prevention program to promote couples’ sexual well-being in the transition to parenthood

• Applicant: Dr. Lara Seefeld
• Subject Area: Social Psychology, Industrial and Organisational Psychology ; Public Health, Healthcare Research, Social and Occupational Medicine
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 561683931

Nearly 90% of committed couples become parents, and the vast majority report novel sexual concerns across the transition to parenthood for which they feel unprepared. Although sexual well-being (feeling sexually satisfied, having desire, and not feeling sexually distressed) is essential to the quality and longevity of romantic relationships and overall well-being, most new parents lack easily accessible, reliable information on the common sexual changes associated with pregnancy and the time after birth. However, this information is fundamental to successfully manage the sexual changes likely to occur. To address this gap, we developed an online prevention program designed to support couples’ sexual well-being across the transition to parenthood. The primary goal of my research is to conduct a large-scale study (N = 268 couples) comparing the sexual well-being of couples who complete the program to a control group without access to the program (i.e., randomized controlled trial). Couples in the program group will complete five weekly, evidence-based online modules in the second trimester of pregnancy and one module 2-months after the baby is born. The modules include psychoeducation and skills-training exercises related to enhancing sexual well-being during the transition to parenthood. The control group will continue with standard perinatal care. All participants will complete a baseline survey at the start of the study and then additional surveys at 3-months and 6-months after birth. As this is the first program of its kind, it is also crucial to understand whether all couples benefit equally from it. The key objective of my proposed research is to investigate which factors, measured prior to enrolment, predict who will benefit most from our program. Based on theory and prior research, I selected predictors that include demographic (age, gender, income, relationship duration), psychological (mental health during pregnancy), and interpersonal (how couples jointly manage stress) variables. None of these variables have previously been investigated as predictors of sexuality-focused interventions in the transition to parenthood. Shedding light on predictors of program outcome will help to improve future interventions for new parents’ sexual wellbeing and aid in directing people to the intervention who are most likely to benefit from it. Ultimately, strengthening couples’ sexual well-being has the potential to promote the quality of new parents’ relationships, and therefore the overall health and well-being of their families.

• DFG Programme: WBP Fellowship
• International Connection: Canada
• Host: Professorin Dr. Natalie Rosen