Darby Saxbe, PhD
Darby Saxbe, PhD
Darby Saxbe, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and tenured full professor of psychology at the University of Southern California.
She has published over eighty scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals and secured major research grants from the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation. She earned awards from the American Psychological Association and the Society for Research in Child Development and was a Fulbright fellow. Dr. Darby Saxbe received her PhD in clinical psychology from UCLA and her BA in English and psychology from Yale University.
Her research focuses on the transition to parenthood, particularly the neural and hormonal underpinnings of fatherhood. She integrates neuroscience and psychology to explore how close connections shape health and wellbeing.
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Hardcover
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A groundbreaking exploration of the science and significance of fatherhood that shows great dads are made, not born
Over the last decade, we’ve learned more about the transformative power of parenthood—biologically, psychologically, and socially—than ever before. But while the experience of motherhood has attracted well-deserved attention,...
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Dad Brain: How Fatherhood Transforms Men’s Brains, Bodies, and Lives
Dr. Darby Saxbe discusses her research on men’s brain and hormonal adaptations to parenthood and how fatherhood can also re-align men’s relationships, health, and sense of purpose. (Depending on the audience, this can focus more on neurobiology, more on parenting, more on health or more on culture and workplace/policy dimensions of fatherhood.)
The Transition to Parenthood As a Window for Adult Development
Dr. Saxbe discusses her lab’s research on how the transition to parenthood changes women, men, and couples (similar to the “Dad Brain” talk but broadened to include more emphasis on mothers and the couple relationship).
Sharing the Load: How Couples Navigate Division of Labor Issues
Dr. Saxbe discusses her research on housework, stress, and the “mental load” (e.g., cognitive dimensions of household labor).
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“This Masculinity Influencer Is Loud and Wrong About Paternity Leave”
Opinion | Behind Every Dad Bod Is a Healthy Dad Brain
“The new science of ‘dad brain'”
“Dr. Darby Saxbe: Neurobiological Changes in Fathers”
“Fatherhood Shrinks the Brain? Shocking New Study Reveals the Cost of Being a Devoted Dad”
Praise for Dad Brain
“Superb. Engaging, authoritative and uplifting. Saxbe shows how men become fathers at the level of biology, exploding stubborn myths about Dads not being suited for parenting. Impressive and inspiring. A book for everyone.”
— Richard V. Reeves, author of Of Boys and Men
“Dad Brain is the smartest book about fatherhood I’ve ever read, and it might be the most sophisticated book about fatherhood ever written. Being a dad is the world’s most important job but it has the least reliable training manual. Marrying neuroscience to storytelling and humor, Darby Saxbe offers a tour of the hidden infrastructure of dad life, from hormones to marriage dynamics. If you want to understand how fatherhood is changing, and how being a dad changes men, you have to read this book.”
— Derek Thompson, bestselling author of Abundance
“In this entertaining and fascinating book, Darby Saxbe unpacks how fatherhood transforms men’s lives, from their brains to their careers. It’s a must-read for everyone who values the importance of dads and believes in the power of care.”
— Eve Rodsky, New York Times bestselling author of Fair Play and Find Your Unicorn Space
“An eye-opening exploration of fatherhood and its impact on a child’s life—and on a partnership, a family, and society at large. With equal parts science and story, Darby Saxbe sheds new light on an untold and misunderstood narrative. If you are a dad, if you’re married to a dad, or if you have a dad—you want this book.”
— Aliza Pressman, PhD, author of The Five Principles of Parenting and host of the Raising Good Humans podcast
“Make no mistake: Darby Saxbe has achieved something even broader and deeper than her title promises. Dad Brain is a wonderful book about the biology of fatherhood and an important text about parenthood from the perspective of an accomplished scientist.”
— Antonio Damasio, renowned neuroscientist, head of the USC Brain and Creativity Institute, and author of Descartes’ Error
“Dad Brain is a masterful, science-packed, story-full journey for moms and dads alike to understand how the role of parent—birth or adoptive—changes our brains. Filled with exciting cutting-edge knowledge about neuroplasticity, this fascinating book offers unique and practical insights into the parenting journey and how we can honor our relational connections to our kids, and to our inner selves. This is a wonderful contribution to the parenting library recommended for anyone interested in improving children’s and parents’ lives!”
— Daniel J. Siegel, M.D., New York Times bestselling author of The Whole Brain Child, Parenting from the Inside Out, and Brainstorm
“Dad Brain offers a fascinating look at fatherhood, bringing cutting-edge research to life with clarity and heart. By taking fathers seriously as caregivers—and by making the science both accessible and compelling—this must-read book honors the critically important role men play in raising children and expands how we understand parenting itself.”
— Lisa Damour, PhD, author of Untangled, Under Pressure, and The Emotional Lives of Teenagers
“Dad Brain is a much-needed book and an ode to the importance of dads.”
— Pamela Druckerman, author of Bringing Up Bébé
“The role of fatherhood has shifted in recent decades, meaning many of today’s dads may not have grown up with healthy models, Saxbe writes, but men who choose to challenge ingrained cultural stereotypes surrounding masculinity and care work are often rewarded with more meaningful lives. Smart and uplifting, this is a powerful resource for dads and dads-to-be.”
— Publishers Weekly
