Panel Analysis of Intimate Relationships and Family Dynamics

The project 'Panel Analysis of Intimate Relationships and Family Dynamics' (pairfam) is a representative panel study for analyzing closed relationships and family relations in Germany. The first wave was conducted in 2008/2009 as a nationwide random sample of 12.000 people which  covered three age cohorts in equal groups (15 to 17, 25 to 27, and 35 to 37). In the first wave, the anchor person as well as their partners were also  interviewed. The second wave started in October, 2009. From the second wave onwards parents and children of the anchor person complete the different perspectives on family dynamics. As the study applies to multidisciplinary standards, the aim is for a close and intense cooperation between psychology, economics and sociology.
Following ongoing social and demographic change in Germany, the research programme primarily focuses on:


The study is based on a common theoretical framework. Referring to the wide range of topics the design differentiates between contend-related core modules, which will be conducted each year, and further rotating add-on modules. Within the context of the Priority Programme 1161, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) from 2004-2010, suitable instruments for the panel were developed and tested in a foregoing Mini-Panel-Study. Starting in Mai 2010 the programme will be funded as a long-term-project from the  DFG.
The study is based on a cooperation between the University of Bremen, Chemnitz University of Technology, the University of Mannheim, and the Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich. pairfam is accompanied by an advisory board.
pairfam will produce annual scientific use files, available to the worldwide scientific community on request.

pairfam • panel analysis of intimate relationships and family dynamics