If you're a mum expecting your second baby, you could be eligible to participate in our new study - 3 to 4: Arrival of the second born - led by Sussex Professor Alison Pike from Channel 4's the Secret Life of 4 and 5 Year Olds. We're working on research which could help parents cope with the changes in family life when welcoming their second child, particularly how the first-born reacts to their new sibling.
Who can take part in the study?
You are eligible to take part if your first-born will be aged 24-42 months when you are due to give birth to your second child.
What does the study involve?
We will visit you at your home for around two hours. While we are there, we will ask you and your first-born child to play games together, complete questionnaires, take part in a short interview and complete a computer task.
To say thank you for participating in our study, your child will receive a small gift and certificate of participation.
How will the research benefit families?
You will help us understand the transition many families go through when welcoming a second child into the family dynamic. The aim of our research is to produce findings that will help parents cope with the changes in family life when expecting their second baby.
About our researchers
Alison Pike is a Professor of Child and Family Psychology in the School of Psychology at the University of Sussex. Her research focuses on family relationships, with a particular focus on siblings, and differential experiences of children within the same family.
This work has used cross-cultural, family and twin designs to facilitate an understanding at multiple levels of analysis. Professor Pike has appeared as an expert on the BAFTA-nominated documentary series Secret Lives of 4-, 5-, and 6-year-olds, and the Secret Lives of Brothers and Sisters.
Professor Pike is leading the 3 to 4 study with PhD student, Sumeyra Yalcintas, from the University of Sussex.
Sumeyra Yalcintas began her PhD at Sussex in 2017. She is working with Professor Pike on the 3 to 4 study. Her research has a particular focus on predictors of maternal well-being. Her previous research carried out in Turkey explored maternal attitudes, partner responsiveness, and maternal well-being.
See BBC South East today's coverage of Alison's study
Are you a parent living in #Sussex? Do you have a toddler & are you due to have baby number 2 in the next few months? @SussexUni is looking for families to get involved in a new study about #sibling relationships. Find out more below & contact 3to4study@sussex.ac.uk @ali_pike pic.twitter.com/IyQy5su25q
— Lauren Moss (@LaurenM0ss) March 6, 2019