PARTNRS - Parenting and Relationship Transition & Risk Study

about

Over the course of 5 years, 300 couples will lend critical insight into the interpersonal context in which decisions are made about sexual behavior, personal health and relationships during their transition to parenthood. PARTNRS will follow couples as they make this transition, collecting assessments at three time points: in the third trimester of pregnancy, and at 6- and 12 months postpartum.

What we study:


		Individual PARTNRS wants to know more about how to help individuals understand and reduce sexual risk. We explore factors involving the individual and his or her behavior that relate to sexual and reproductive health.

		Couple Decisions about sex, family planning, and child rearing are made within the context of a relationship, whether it is serious or casual. Both partners influence each other's opinions and decisions. This is why PARTNRS is striving to determine relationship factors that influence these decisions.

		Family Families are important in everyone's life. They provide a support network and influence values, beliefs, and behavior. PARTNRS seeks to know the ways that families influence relationships and sexual and reproductive health.

		Peers Peers play an important role in setting norms and expectations for opinions and behavior. What are these norms, and how important are they in predicting sexual risk? These are just some of the questions about peer networks that PARTNRS hopes to answer.

		Community Communities influence the health and well-being of their residents. Quality of schools, amount of crime, and a sense of belonging can all influence behavior. PARTNRS wants to know how the characteristics of a community influence the sexual and reproductive health of its members.