The Effect of the Transition to Parenthood on Relationship Quality: an 8-year Prospective Study

Overview

Journal J Pers Soc Psychol

Publisher American Psychological Association

Specialty Psychology

Date 2009 Mar 4

PMID 19254107

Citations 138

Authors

Brian D Doss

Galena K Rhoades

Scott M Stanley

Howard J Markman

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

This longitudinal study examined the effect of the birth of the 1st child on relationship functioning using data from 218 couples (436 individuals) over the course of the first 8 years of marriage. Compared with prebirth levels and trajectories, parents showed sudden deterioration following birth on observed and self-reported measures of positive and negative aspects of relationship functioning. The deterioration in these variables was small to medium in size and tended to persist throughout the remaining years of the study. Mothers and fathers showed similar amounts of change after birth. The amount of postbirth deterioration in relationship functioning varied systematically by several characteristics of the individual, the marriage, and the pregnancy itself. In a group of couples who did not have children, results indicated more gradual deterioration in relationship functioning during the first 8 years of marriage without the sudden changes seen in parents, suggesting that the results seen in the parent sample may be due to birth.

Citing Articles

Conflict and Father Involvement: The Unique Role of Postpartum Destructiveness for Fathers' Direct Care in Toddlerhood.

Murray-Perdue S, Rayburn S, Wang L, Cummings E, Braungart-Rieker J Fam Process. 2025; 64(1):e70013.

PMID: 39956915 PMC: 11830849. DOI: 10.1111/famp.70013.

Partners Now Parents: Supporting Couples During the Journey to Parenthood.

Savell S, Breeden L, Emery R Fam Process. 2025; 64(1):e13097.

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Kent-Marvick J, Cloyes K, Clark A, Angulo M, de la Haye K, Debbink M Womens Health (Lond). 2025; 21():17455057241309774.

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Effect of recreational sport and physical activity participation on well-being during early parenthood: a randomized controlled trial.

Rhodes R, Beauchamp M, Carson V, Courtnall S, Wierts C, Blanchard C Ann Behav Med. 2024; 59(1).

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Conjoint trajectories of couples' marital and parental conflictual behaviors and later-life mental, physical, and relational health.

Lee S, Wickrama K, Lee T, Klopack E J Soc Pers Relat. 2024; 39(7):1934-1958.

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