Körperbildwahrnehmung als Risikofaktor für chronischen Stress

Das Jugend- und junge Erwachsenenalter kann aufgrund entwicklungsbezogener Besonderheiten als ein äußerst sensibler Lebensabschnitt angesehen werden. Besonders die Entwicklung des eigenen körperlichen Selbstbilds stellt eine zentrale Entwicklungsaufgabe dar. An einer Stichprobe von N=328 Jugendlichen und jungen Erwachsenen wird untersucht, in welchem Ausmaß eine Diskrepanz zwischen dem Körperideal und dem Körperselbst zu einer Erhöhung von chronischem Stressempfinden und einer Abnahme des Wohlbefindens führt. Es ergaben sich signifikante Korrelationen zwischen dem ideal- und selbstempfundenen Körperbild, der Stresswahrnehmung und dem Wohlbefinden. Nach einer Gruppeneinteilung auf der Basis der Abweichungen zwischen Ideal- und Selbsteinschätzung berichteten Personen, die ihren Körper stärker ablehnen als sie es für den Idealfall sehen, von einem signifikant höheren Stressempfinden. Gleiches gilt für Personen, die einen höheren Anspruch an ihre Körpervitalität stellen, als sie es für das Ideal vermuten. Diese berichten zudem eine stärkere Ablehnung ihres äußerlichen körperlichen Erscheinungsbildes. Männer dieser Gruppe schildern insgesamt ein stärkeres Ausmaß an Stressempfinden als Frauen. Die Ergebnisse haben eine hohe Relevanz für die therapeutische Praxis, insbesondere für die Behandlung von jungen Männern mit körperbezogenen psychischen Störungen.

[Parenting facts and desires in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity]

Homosexual parents as well as gay and lesbian individuals wanting children are increasingly a topic of public discourse. To estimate the importance of parenting for this group, 1 289 non-heterosexual individuals were examined by means of an anonymous online survey. Their answers were compared to 1 022 heterosexual participants of a representative control group. The respondents were questioned concerning their motives for desiring children, the external factors influencing this desire and their ideal number of children. 80% of the non-heterosexual respondents and 49% of the control group indicated that they have no children. In both groups emotional motives were reported to have far greater influence on their parenting desire than social recognition or personal and financial constraints. 85% of the non-heterosexual respondents and 60% of the control group have fewer children than they would like to have. Both groups considered work and their financial situation as the most important external factors influencing the realization of their desire to have children.

[Attachment-related self evaluation and well-being in the elderly]

The importance of attachment-related self evaluation (German version of the Adult Attachment Scale, AAS) for psychic and physical well-being in elderly aged 60 years or older (N=555; 53% female) was examined. Widowed elderly described themselves as being less able to rely on others, and their need for feeling close to other people was lower than in married elderly. The trust in others and the extent of being afraid of losing an intimate partner predicted age related lower well being. Depressive symptoms in widowed elderly were partly explained by low trust in others. Self-evaluation of attachment reflects psychic resources for well-being in the elderly.

Validating the German version of the Quality of Relationship Inventory: confirming the three-factor structure and report of psychometric properties

Research on psychosocial influences such as relationship characteristics has received increased attention in the clinical as well as social-psychological field. Several studies demonstrated that the quality of relationships, in particular with respect to the perceived support within intimate relationships, profoundly affects individuals' mental and physical health. There is, however, a limited choice of valid and internationally known assessments of relationship quality in Germany. We report the validation of the German version of the Quality of Relationships Inventory (QRI). First, we evaluated its factor structure in a representative German sample of 1.494 participants by means of confirmatory factor analysis. Our findings support the previously proposed three-factor structure. Second, importance and satisfaction with different relationship domains (family/children and relationship/sexuality) were linked with the QRI scales, demonstrating high construct validity. Finally, we report sex and age differences regarding the perceived relationship support, conflict and depth in our German sample. In conclusion, the QRI is a reliable and valid measurement to assess social support in romantic relationships in the German population.

Die faktorielle Struktur des Partnerschaftsfragebogens

Zusammenfassung. Theoretischer Hintergrund: Der Partnerschaftsfragebogen (PFB) wird im deutschen Sprachraum zur Erfassung der Partnerschafts- und Ehequalität bevorzugt eingesetzt. Fragestellung: Neben der Überprüfung der Eindimensionalität der PFB-Subskalen (Streitverhalten, Zärtlichkeit, Gemeinsamkeit/Kommunikation) wird in der vorliegenden Arbeit überprüft, ob das Zusammenfassen der PFB-Subskalen zu einem Generalfaktor „Partnerschaftsqualität” angemessen ist. Methoden: Es wurden Daten einer Bevölkerungsstichprobe für die Bundesrepublik Deutschland genutzt (N = 1.289). Aufgrund der Abweichung von einer multivariaten Normalverteilung wurden konfirmatorische Faktorenanalysen mittels Maximum-Likelihood-Methode mit robusten Standardfehlern und einem mittelwertsadjustierten Chi2-Wert (Satorra-Bentler-scaled-χ2) durchgeführt. Ergebnisse: Es ergaben sich sowohl für die Eindimensionalität der PFB-Subskalen als auch für die Second-Order-Faktorenanalyse sehr gute Modellanapassungen. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Subsumierung der PFB-Items zu Skalenwerten sowie der PFB-Subskalen zu einem Gesamtwert kann als angemessen eingestuft werden.

Entwicklung und Normierung einer Kurzform des Partnerschaftsfragebogens (PFB-K) an einer repräsentativen deutschen Stichprobe

Zusammenfassung. Theoretischer Hintergrund: Obwohl die Partnerschaftszufriedenheit zum Erfolg bzw. Misserfolg einer Behandlung erheblich beitragen kann, gibt es im deutschsprachigen Raum kein ökonomisches, reliables und valides Instrument. Fragestellung: Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit war es daher eine Kurzform des Partnerschaftsfragebogen (PFB-K) zu entwickeln. Methode: Der PFB-K wurde anhand einer aktuellen Befragung aus dem Jahr 2011 (N = 1.390) evaluiert und normiert. Ergebnisse: Für den Gesamtwert des PFB-K wurden gute interne Konsistenzen (Gesamt: α = .84; Frauen: α = .87; Männer: α = .81) ermittelt. Eine Normierung erfolgte nach Geschlecht und Alter (19–39, 40–59 und 60–89 Jahre) getrennt. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Kurzform kann in der Praxis und Forschung eingesetzt werden. Eine Kreuzvalidierung anhand einer klinischen Stichprobe steht aus.

Unemployment during working life and mental health of retirees: results of a representative survey

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to examine differences in mental health and satisfaction with life in retired men and women depending on experienced unemployment during working life.

METHOD

Based on a representative survey, 1396 retirees in the age range of 60-92 years were interviewed face-to-face, assessing two screening instruments for anxiety and depression as well as the Questions on Life Satisfaction questionnaire. Among others, analyses of variance were used to test the differences between groups with distinct experiences of unemployment periods.

RESULTS

Retirees with the experience of repeated unemployment--but not with one-time unemployment--during working life reported worse mental health and satisfaction with life. Calculated effect sizes were 0.53 for anxiety, 0.42 for depression and between 0.21 and 0.51 for satisfaction with different domains of daily life. Differences between men and women emerged, but similarities dominated. Participants with higher current household incomes were found to be less affected.

CONCLUSION

The experience of repeated unemployment periods during working life is associated with more psychosocial distress in retired men and women. Thus, unemployment may have serious negative implications even for persons retired already.

Standard values and relationship-specific validity of the Bielefeld Relationship Expectations Questionnaire (BFPE)

BACKGROUND

The Bielefeld Partnership Expectations Questionnaire (BFPE) is a tool to assess attachment in the romantic relationships of adults. The attachment styles are operationalized as configuration patterns of scale scores. While convergent validity has already been investigated, discriminant validity is still lacking confirmation.

METHODS

The present sample (n = 1509) is representative for the German population aged 18 to 50. The mean age was 34.6 years. Most of the participants lived in a relationship (77.3 %). Discriminant validity was analyzed using a marital quality questionnaire (PFB), a social support questionnaire (F-Soz-U K-14), and a life satisfaction questionnaire (FLZ).

RESULTS

All the BFPE scales have a satisfying internal consistency between r = .79 and .86. Those individuals who showed a secure pattern, i.e. increased "Readiness for Self-Disclosure" and "Conscious Need for Care" as well as reduced "Fear of Rejection" experienced their partner as socially supportive, reported higher marital quality in all of its facets, and were more satisfied within the life-domains "family/children" and "relationship/sexuality". Standard values for each scale are presented.

CONCLUSIONS

The BFPE has repeatedly been verified as a short, reliable, and valid instrument applicable to research practice with healthy individuals as well as within clinical contexts.

A psychosomatic intervention in pregnant in-patient women with prenatal somatic risks

PURPOSE

This study examined whether a short-term psychosomatic intervention during pregnancy had effects on characteristics of labour and delivery as well as on the long-term course of anxiety, depression and physical complaints in pregnant in-patient women.

METHODS

All gynaecological and obstetric inpatients of a university hospital, who had either exhibited complications during their pregnancy or were considered high-risk pregnancies, were examined. Symptoms of anxiety and depression (HADS) and physical symptoms (GBB) were assessed by standardised questionnaires. Women with elevated scores on either the HADS or the GBB were randomly assigned to either a treatment group, which had received a psychosomatic intervention or an untreated control group. Of the n = 238 women who were assessed during their stay in our hospital, n = 135 were included in the follow-up 1-year later.

RESULTS

More than one-third of the participants (38.7%) had elevated scores of anxiety, depression and/or physical symptoms. The psychosomatic intervention had a significant effect on anxiety scores (p = 0.006), but not on depression scores, physical complaints and characteristics of labour and delivery.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that a short-term psychosomatic intervention can have a positive long-term effect on anxiety symptoms. Future studies are needed to show whether the reduction of anxiety symptoms in turn can lead to a reduction of postnatal complications and lower rates of disturbed mother-child interactions.

[The impact of day nursery in early childhood on psyche in younger adulthood]

The influence of day nursery in early childhood on later mental and social development has been controversially discussed for a long time. Opponents of day nurseries express the considerable concern that serious negative mental consequences in later life result from early separation from the mother. A sample of n=383 respondents (54.2% women, aged 34.2 years on average) from the twenty-first wave of the Saxony Longitudinal Study (2007) was analyzed regarding the impact of day nursery in early childhood on different psychological indicators measured later. By applying standardized instruments several aspects were examined such as anxiety, depression, the occurrence of common somatic symptoms, attachment, confidence towards the future, experiences of menace, and common values towards political aspects. The findings show various gender differences, e. g. women report a worse mental health. Yet, only one of the examined indicators can be explained by day nursery in early childhood: respondents who had not been in day nursery felt more threatened by potential stressful life-events, e. g. unemployment. Furthermore the analysis of variance indicates some interaction effects between gender and day nursery in early childhood. Data doesn't support the critic that day nursery in early childhood negatively influences mental health at a later age. A particular positive impact of day nursery in early childhood on the examined aspects cannot be assumed, either. Facing the ongoing political debate on the expansion of day nursery facilities, further research is needed focusing more in detail on qualitative aspects of day nursery.

[Unemployment, job insecurity and the need for psychosocial support]

BACKGROUND

For many concerned people unemployment leads to impairments of health, and above all, mental impairments. However, appropriate interventional measures are utilized by only few unemployed people. This study addresses the question, what need for professional psychosocial counselling exists depending on unemployment experience and job insecurity.

METHODS

387 young adults (54.4% female) with a mean age of 33.2 years were asked in 2006 in the context of the 20th wave of the Saxony Longitudinal Study (Sächsische Längsschnittstudie) about unemployment experience, perceived job insecurity and the subjective need for professional psychosocial counselling. Furthermore, the global psychological distress was assessed as an indicator for the objective need for psychosocial support.

RESULTS

Over 70% of the participants have had experience with unemployment so far. On average women are unemployed for longer periods than men. Current unemployment [Odds Ratio 7.14; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.28-15.54] proves to be, apart from the threat of loosing of one's job (Odds Ratio 5.26; 95% CI 3.34-8.28), the strongest predictor for mental burdens. However, the subjective need for psychosocial counselling is independent of these employment-related characteristics. 12.7% of the respondents claimed to have had a need for counselling in the last year. Significant predictors for professional counselling support are sex (Odds Ratio 2.08; 95% CI 1.23-3.55) and the mental burdens (Odds Ratio 2.84; 95% CI 1.50-5.38).

CONCLUSION

Unemployment leads to objective mental burdens for the concerned people, but subjectively not to an increased need for psychosocial support. Therefore, it is necessary to communicate this health risk to the concerned in an appropriate way and to submit appropriate, low-threshold counselling offers.

[Which integrative and disorder specific treatment approaches are considered in research papers? An analysis on psychotherapeutic treatments in German journals]

In the current discussion on optimizing psychotherapeutic approaches, two important developments have to be considered: a tendency towards integrative and a tendency towards disorder specific approaches. For the years 2005 and 2006, an analysis of three German journals (covering the fields of psychosomatics, psychiatry and clinical psychology) was conducted on the question whether these two developments can be identified in current empirical and conceptual publications. Contrary to the expectations, there are only very few papers dealing with integrative approaches. As expected, there is a major emphasis on psychodynamic and cognitive behavioural approaches; other approaches are only marginally considered. A disorder specific approach can be identified not only for cognitive behavioural, but also for psychodynamic papers.

[Statistics for statistics?--Thoughts about psychological tools]

Statistical methods take a prominent place among psychologists' educational programs. Being known as difficult to understand and heavy to learn, students fear of these contents. Those, who do not aspire after a research carrier at the university, will forget the drilled contents fast. Furthermore, because it does not apply for the work with patients and other target groups at a first glance, the methodological education as a whole was often questioned. For many psychological practitioners the statistical education makes only sense by enforcing respect against other professions, namely physicians. For the own business, statistics is rarely taken seriously as a professional tool. The reason seems to be clear: Statistics treats numbers, while psychotherapy treats subjects. So, does statistics ends in itself? With this article, we try to answer the question, if and how statistical methods were represented within the psychotherapeutical and psychological research. Therefore, we analyzed 46 Originals of a complete volume of the journal Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics, Psychological Medicine (PPmP).

RESULT

Within the volume, 28 different analyse methods were applied, from which 89 per cent were directly based upon statistics. To be able to write and critically read Originals as a backbone of research, presumes a high degree of statistical education. To ignore statistics means to ignore research and at least to reveal the own professional work to arbitrariness.

Sexual desire and sexual activity of men and women across their lifespans: results from a representative German community survey

OBJECTIVES

To present data on sexual desire and sexual activity from a representative survey of men and women covering the total age range of the adult German population, as previous studies have usually been based on samples selected for gender (either men or women) and age (ageing populations).

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A representative sample of 2341 men and women aged 18-93 years were surveyed to determine frequency and intensity of sexual desire and sexual activity, and their social, individual and interpersonal characteristics.

RESULTS

Sexual desire declined with advancing age; overall, men reported more frequent and stronger sexual desire than women. However, there were important interactions between gender and age indicating an earlier decline among women. For both men and women, sexual activity in older participants was mostly an issue of the presence of a partnership. There were additional social and personality determinants of a lack of sexual desire and sexual inactivity: in men, sexual desire was compromised by social factors (unemployment, low income), while in women these were previous sexual traumas (childhood sexual abuse, rape).

CONCLUSION

Community surveys elucidate the trajectory of sexual desire and activity across the lifespan. Further research on the determinants and risk factors for a lack of sexual desire and sexual inactivity is recommendable taking gender and age composition of the samples into account.

Attitudes of German infertile couples towards preimplantation genetic diagnosis for different uses: a comparison to international studies

BACKGROUND

In Germany, preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is currently not legal, but there is still a controversial debate about legalization. Studies about the attitudes of infertile couples towards PGD are rare.

METHODS

A survey was conducted with 265 German infertile couples about knowledge, attitudes and prospective use of PGD. The influence of independent variables associated with approval of PGD is analysed by binary logistic regression.

RESULTS

Sixty percent of respondents have heard about PGD. Eighty-seven percent support a general legalization of PGD in Germany for severe, early-onset genetic diseases. Seventy-four percent consider PGD morally acceptable. Sixty percent supported legalizing PGD for HLA-matching. But only a minority approved PGD to test for non-health-related traits. Respondents with a higher education level were the least supportive to all uses of PGD.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that German infertile couples are as liberal towards PGD for health-related uses as in other western countries. They would legalize and use PGD to raise the rates to get pregnant and to avoid severe diseases of the offspring. Taking the opinions of German infertile couples into consideration could help redefine and reframe the public debate towards legalization of PGD and the moral status of the embryo in Germany.

Psychological and physical factors influencing the health-related quality of life of patients of a department of gynecology in a university hospital

The aim of our study was to assess the physical and mental quality of life of in-patients of a Gynecological University Hospital and the factors influencing the quality of life. 715 women, who were treated in hospital with non-malignant or malignant gynecological or obstetrical diseases, took part in the study. Besides demographical data and relevant medical parameters the quality of life (SF-12), anxiety and depression (HADS) as well as physical discomforts (GBB) were assessed. The physical quality of life of the study population was significantly lower than that of the normal population (p < 0.001). Patients with obstetric diseases in comparison with patients with malignant gynecological and other gynecological diseases had the lowest physical quality of life. Regarding the mental factor, patients with malignant gynecological diseases feel most impaired, followed by those with other gynecological and obstetrical conditions. The multivariate analysis of the quality of life showed that up to 60% of the variance could be explained. The lowest variance elucidation was found in obstetrical patients in whom the physical complaints elucidated only a small part of the variance. Our results show on the one hand the high impairment of mental and especially of physical quality of life in women who are in hospital with gynecological or obstetrical diseases. On the other hand they show the great significance of the quality of life as an outcome parameter. These findings should be considered in gynecological in-patient treatments by using integrated psychosomatic care.

Social sex selection and the balance of the sexes: Empirical evidence from Germany, the UK, and the US

Preconception sex selection for nonmedical reasons is one of the most controversial issues in bioethics today. The most powerful objection to social sex selection is based on the assumption that it may severely distort the natural sex ratio and lead to a socially disruptive imbalance of the sexes. Based on representative social surveys conducted in Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States, this paper argues that the fear of an impending sex ratio distortion is unfounded. Given the predominant preference for a "gender balanced family," a widely available service for social sex selection is highly unlikely to upset the balance of the sexes in Western societies.

Ambivalent attitudes towards pre-implantation genetic diagnosis in Germany

BACKGROUND

Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is a modern technique in reproductive medicine which can be used to diagnose genetic disorders of an embryo. PGD is currently not legal in Germany, still there are debates being held regarding the issue of legalization. Both the internationally "accepted" indications and new or alternative approaches can lead to complex ethical dilemmas. The attitudes towards PGD have rarely been assessed in the general population.

METHODS

In our study, 2110 persons aged 18-50 years were interviewed about their attitudes towards PGD and related topics. We assumed that religion, world views and the evaluation of PGD would influence the attitude a person has towards this procedure.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

In our survey, the majority of respondents would agree to a restricted legalization of PGD in Germany. Our results also confirmed some of our assumptions but religion did not have the expected influence. The evaluation of costs and benefits of PGD and the feelings associated with this technique explained more of the final attitude whether PGD should remain prohibited in Germany or not. The agreement to a restricted legalization may be connected to an overall rejection of prohibitions made by the state concerning the individual reproductive autonomy.

The 'wish to have a child', childlessness and infertility in Germany

BACKGROUND

Based on the declining birth rates in Germany, one might assume that the number of people who unintentionally are without children is growing. However, studies over recent years have documented that the number of people who deliberately have no children is growing instead.

METHODS

This report focuses on attitudes and motives which influence the realization of the desire to have a child. In a representative survey, 785 women and 795 men were questioned about their current wish to have a child, their ideal number of children and the motives for or against the decision to have a child.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Emotional aspects are the most important motives in favour of having children, and financial restraints are most frequently cited as arguments against parenthood in German society. Thus, deciding in favour or against having children still appears to be an indicator of social disparity, due to the fact that every realized child wish underlines the differences between parents and childless individuals through the increasing financial burdens. As a large number of individuals and couples in Germany postpone realization of their desire to have a child, this may lead to a change from a voluntary to an involuntary childlessness in the individual decision process. Therefore, education about fertility as a resource should be promoted.

Knowledge and attitudes towards preimplantation genetic diagnosis in Germany

BACKGROUND

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is a technique which is often related to emotional debates because of its ethical and social implications. Worldwide there are different forms of legislation; Germany constitutes an interesting case because of the historical background concerning eugenics and dealing with handicapped persons at the time of national socialism. PGD is currently not legal but there are still polarized positions and legalization remains an issue. Studies about the attitudes of the general population towards PGD are rare.

METHODS

Data were collected in a representative survey carried out in November 2003. Subjects were 2110 persons in Germany aged 18-50 years.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Respondents had little knowledge about PGD. There were incorrect assumptions about the diagnostic possibilities and a lack of basic genetic knowledge. A tendency towards a general acceptance of PGD for medical indications was found. Non-medical indications such as sex selection were generally not accepted. It could be observed that respondents who already had a notion about PGD overestimated the diagnostic possibilities and would eventually use PGD in the future more than respondents who had never heard about PGD before.

Perzipiertes elterliches Erziehungsverhalten und partnerbezogene Bindungsmuster im Erwachsenenalter

Based on the assumption that the parental rearing behaviour recalled by adults can be conceptualized as a specific mental representation of attachment, the study examines the associations between these rearing-related memories and adult attachment patterns in intimate relationships. The data for this study were obtained from a large community-based sample of the German population (1509 subjects between the ages of 18 and 50 years). Both, the perceived parental rearing behaviour and the adult attachment patterns have been assessed via questionnaires (Questionnaire of Recalled Parental Rearing Behaviour [Fragebogen zum erinnerten elterlichen Erziehungsverhalten, FEE] and Bielefeld Partnership Expectations Questionnaire [Bielefelder Fragebogen zu Partnerschaftserwartungen, BFPE]). As the result of the study it could be shown that a secure adult attachment pattern in intimate relationships is associated with a parental rearing behaviour that has been perceived as positive, while on the other hand insecure attachment patterns are rather associated with more negative experiences of parental rearing.

Steht die aktuelle Partnerschaftszufriedenheit im Zusammenhang mit dem erinnerten Erziehungsverhalten der eigenen Eltern?

Zusammenfassung. Die vorliegende Untersuchung beschäftigt sich mit der Frage, ob sich relevante Zusammenhänge zwischen der aktuellen Partnerschaftszufriedenheit und dem erinnerten Erziehungsverhalten der eigenen Eltern aufzeigen lassen. Bisher liegen dazu nur wenige empirische Befunde vor. Die Untersuchung basiert auf den Daten von N = 1104 Personen im Alter von 18 bis 50 Jahren, die im Rahmen einer bevölkerungsrepräsentativen Studie (insgesamt N = 1509) befragt wurden und dabei angegeben hatten, mit einem Partner oder einer Partnerin zusammen zu leben. Die Untersuchungsdaten wurden mit Hilfe von Selbstbeurteilungsskalen (Fragebogen zum erinnerten elterlichen Erziehungsverhalten FEE und Partnerschaftsfragebogen PFB) erhoben. Es zeigte sich, dass ein als ablehnend und wenig emotional warm erinnertes elterliches Erziehungsverhalten mit einer insgesamt geringeren Partnerschaftszufriedenheit einhergeht. Insbesondere das erlebte mütterliche Erziehungsverhalten erweist sich als eine vergleichsweise starke Determinante der Partnerschaftszufriedenheit.

[Change in reproductive behavior in Germany compared with the rest of Europe]

When the processes involved in the decline of the birth rate are analysed very often no distinction is made between voluntary and involuntary childlessness. The article presents a comparative overview of the international development of fertility and highlights the consequences of this development in Europe. In the second part of this article the development of the birth rate in Germany and its consequences are discussed.

[Recalled parental rearing and the wish to have a child - are there associations?]

The present study concerns the impact of recalled parental rearing behaviour on both the intensity of the wish to have a child and on different motives to have a child. Until now there are no empirical studies as to this objective. Our study is based on a representative sample of 1509 persons aged 18 to 50 years. The statistical analyses were restricted to those subjects who lived in partnership and reported an actual wish to have a child (n = 331). The data were assessed by self-reporting scales: The Questionnaire of Recalled Parental Rearing Behaviour "Fragebogen zum erinnerten elterlichen Erziehungsverhalten, FEE", the Partnership Questionnaire "Partnerschaftsfragebogen, PFB", and the Leipzig Questionnaire of Motives to Have a Child "Leipziger Fragebogen zu Kinderwunschmotiven, LKM". A recalled parental rearing behaviour, which was characterized as having been rejective, overprotective and less emotionally warm was associated with such motives which do not promote the wish to have own children (fear of personal restrictions and a low degree of social support). Simultaneously, a negative parental rearing behaviour was correlated with a stronger desire for social recognition by an own child. The recalled maternal rearing behaviour was altogether stronger associated with motives to have a child than the paternal. On the other hand, no relevant associations could be found between the recalled parental rearing behaviour and the intensity of the wish to have a child.