Bachelorarbeitsthemen

Beschreibung: Impaired parent-infant bonding is a transdiagnostic risk factor for adverse child socioemotional and neurobiological development (Eckstein et al., 2024), and therefore an important target for early intervention (Mah et al., 2016; Mörelius et al., 2015; Riem et al. 2025). This thesis reviews the current literature on biopsychological interventions for impaired bonding.
Kontakt: Victoria Häffner, E-Mail

Beschreibung: Parent-infant bonding is traditionally studied within the dyad, yet parents themselves are embedded in a couple relationship of differing quality (Ditzen et al., 2011), which could shape the biology and behavior of their caregiving (Holt-Lunstad et al, 2015; Kim et al. 2021; Wells et al., 2023) . This thesis reviews biopsychological pathways linking interparental relationship quality to parent-infant bonding across hormonal, neural, and behavioral levels.
Kontakt: Victoria Häffner, E-Mail

Beschreibung: Breastfeeding, besides being a nutritional act, is a repeated biobehavioral event (Krol et al., 2018; Victoria et al., 2016) through which mother and infant co-regulate hormones, stress physiology, and neural activity (Kim et al., 2011; Moberg et al., 2020). This thesis reviews the biopsychological mechanisms linking breastfeeding to mother-infant bonding.
Kontakt: Victoria Häffner, E-Mail

Beschreibung: Who benefits and what works: Participants characteristics and Content design of effective Online Couple Interventions

Close relationships are important sources for personal happiness and health. In recent years online interventions have become a valuable addition to traditional face-to-face therapy, since they provide low threshold, easily accessible tools with which couples can work on their relationship distress, communication skills and conflict resolution.
This thesis systematically examines the characteristics of participants and the content features of effective online couple interventions to identify patterns associated with positive outcomes. Through a review of empirical studies, the analysis focuses on demographic, psychological and relational traits of participants (e.g. relationship satisfaction, attachment styles, digital literacy, duration of relationship, age, gender) as well as the structural and thematic components of interventions (e.g. modules on communication skills, emotional regulation, conflict management, interactive skill-based modules, e-coach contact).
This thesis aims at providing a comprehensive overview of what contributes to an effective online couple intervention by examining both participant traits and structural features. Insights into feasibility and limitations are intended to inform future research and the development and implementation of evidence-based online couple interventions.
Supervisor: Andrea Mayer
Language: preferably English / German is also accepted
Type of work: Literature review

Kontakt: Andrea Mayer, E-Mail

Beschreibung: The increasing prevalence of digital health interventions for couples has expanded access to mental health support in relationship distress, providing an important addition to traditional face-to-face counselling and couple therapy.
Prior research suggests that online interventions can reduce stress, improve well-being and enhance emotional resilience. Furthermore, online couple interventions are shown to improve relationship satisfaction, couple communication, and dyadic coping. Satisfaction in close relationships is associated with well-being and various health outcomes (e.g. affective disorders, substance abuse, and wound healing).
The objective of this thesis is to conduct a systematic review of the current empirical literature on the effects of online couple interventions on individual health outcomes (e.g. depression, anxiety, well-being, stress, health behaviour, physical health, and health related quality of life). The primary focus of this work lies on providing a comprehensive overview of the current state of evidence regarding the effectiveness of online couple interventions, not only on relationship functioning and satisfaction, but also on individual health outcomes of each partner. Insights into the existing body of research are intended to inform future research and promote the development and improvement of effective and low threshold online couple interventions.
Supervisor: Andrea Mayer
Language: preferably English / German is also accepted
Type of work: Literature review

Kontakt: Andrea Mayer, E-Mail