The Project

The Parental Couples project is a research project co-directed by Natacha Godbout, Ph.D., and Alison Paradis, Ph.D., who are both professors at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQÀM).

Objective

For most adults, the relationship they have with their partner is often their most significant. Indeed, a satisfying relationship is one of the most important determinants of physical and psychological happiness and well-being. However, the birth of a child represents an important developmental stage for many couples and a major life event that can be accompanied by changes in the psychosocial functioning of each partner and the couple. The birth of a child can cause significant structural changes in addition to putting pressure on the couple's emotional and material resources.

This project aims to better understand the links between the way parents of young children interact with each other and their psychological and relational well-being, by also exploring the family history of each parent. As well, we seek to better understand the influence of the co-parent's relationship on child development. The results of these studies will provide important information for the development of appropriate educational and preventive programs for individuals, couples and families expecting a child.