Generations2Connect: Research on Parenting, Mental Health, and Technology

Pregnancy and the first years of a child's life may be the most intense period in the lives of both mothers and fathers. During this time, the foundation is laid for the lifelong bond between parents and their children. Generations²Connect conducts research on how parents and children can grow up healthy, happy, and connected together.

We aim to understand how mothers and fathers experience pregnancy, the arrival of a baby, and raising children. In a time of rapid change, including the rise of digital media, their experiences help us better understand what families need today. Together, we work towards giving all parents and children the best possible start.

What do we study?

Within Generations²Connect, we conduct research on a range of topics. This means you may be invited to participate in different sub-studies. If you have registered for Generations²Connect, you will receive invitations to take part in these sub-studies.

Our current sub-studies are:

Physical and Mental Health (HAP3)
Staying healthy during pregnancy and after childbirth can be challenging for many mothers and their partners. The aim of HAP3 is to develop and evaluate a family app that supports (expectant) parents during this period. The app focuses on lifestyle, mental health, and parenting, with the goal of contributing to the well-being of the entire family.
Digital Media (OOG)
Digital media has become an indispensable part of everyday life, and children are exposed to it from an early age. The OOG study (Parenting and Online Behaviour) aims to understand how parents support their children as they encounter the digital world: how can they make the most of its opportunities, reduce its risks, and promote their child's development?
The Parent–Child Relationship (AIM2CARE)
During the first year of life, babies develop an emotional bond with their caregivers - this is known as attachment. We know that, under normal circumstances, all children form attachments to their caregivers. However, we do not yet fully understand how this process unfolds. When does this bond develop, and how can it be observed? The AIM2CARE study seeks to answer these questions by observing interactions between babies and their caregivers in the home environment. In addition to video recordings, we use advanced methods such as heart rate measurements. All procedures are user-friendly and suitable for babies.

Take part in our research

Are you pregnant, is your partner pregnant, or do you have a baby? Then we invite you to register for the Generations²Connect study.

By participating, you contribute to valuable research dedicated to the health and well-being of families. Join us in working towards a healthier and happier future for parents and children.

I would like to participate

Registration, Terms and Conditions

Would you like to take part in our research?

Click here to register!

Background of Generations²Connect

Generations²Connect is a new research project by VU Amsterdam. It is a continuation of the Generaties2 study, which started in 2009 and is still ongoing. Within Generaties2, we have been following women since their first pregnancy. The oldest children participating in this study are now nearly adults. The enthusiasm of the participants and the valuable insights gained from the Generaties2 study have inspired us to start this new project: Generations²Connect. This project focuses on the present day, with new challenges for families, such as navigating digital media.

For more information about Generaties2, please visit the Generations²Connect website.

Participants are co-researchers!

At Generations²Connect, we believe that parents are not only participants, but also co-researchers. You know best what matters to you, what challenges you experience, and what your experiences are. That is why we conduct research not only about and for parents, but also together with parents!
This means, among other things, that we will ask for your input at certain moments. What topics do you consider important in research on parenting and raising children? We would love to hear from you. You are also welcome to share your ideas without us specifically asking for them. If you have any suggestions, you can always contact us via gen2connect@vu.nl.
Participation requirements
We invite you to take part in our research if:
- you are pregnant, your partner is pregnant, or you have a baby;
- you are 16 years of age or older;
- both mothers and fathers are welcome!
When you register for Generations²Connect, we may contact you to provide more information about these studies. We will only invite you to participate in studies that are relevant to your situation. Participation is always voluntary: you decide which studies you would like to take part in.
Informed consent

What is informed consent?
Before you take part in Generations²Connect, we believe it is important that you are well informed about what participation involves and what your rights are. When you click ‘register’, you will first receive an information letter explaining the aims of the research, what participation entails, and how we handle your personal data.
If you understand this information and agree to take part, you can provide consent by signing the form. You can stop participating at any time, even after signing the form. You do not need to provide a reason for doing so. This ensures that our research is conducted in a fair, transparent, and safe manner.
Privacy and Retention Period
We value your privacy!
That is why we handle your data with care. This means that we:
- Only collect data that is necessary for the research;
- Never make your name or other personal information publicly available;
- Anonymise everything you share in our systems;
- Only give access to the data to researchers involved in the project.
Data retention period
We store your data in accordance with the legal retention period of 10 years.
Stop participating

Participation is always voluntary. You decide whether you would like to take part, and you can stop participating at any time.
Would you like to stop participating? Please send an email to: gen2connect@vu.nl.