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Cited by 156Attachment and Relationship DynamicsFamily Dynamics and RelationshipsMaternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum

Prenatal expectations and marital satisfaction over the transition to parenthood

Lawrence, Erika, Nylen, Kimberly, Cobb, Rebecca J.·2007·Journal of Family Psychology
DOI 10.1037/0893-3200.21.2.155
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Abstract

Associations among prenatal expectations, the extent to which expectations were confirmed or disconfirmed, and trajectories of marital satisfaction over the transition to parenthood were assessed 7-11 times in a sample of newlywed couples. Piecewise growth curve analyses were conducted to examine levels of marital satisfaction at the beginning of marriage and rates of change over 2 periods: from the beginning of marriage through the 3rd trimester of pregnancy and from the 3rd trimester of pregnancy through 18 months postpartum. Postpartum marital decline was greater than decline from marriage through pregnancy. Spouses who were more satisfied at the beginning of marriage reported higher expectations. There was marked variability in the extent to which prenatal expectations were confirmed; some expectations were unfulfilled, others were met, and still others were surpassed. Associations between the extent to which expectations were confirmed and rates of change in marital decline differed as a function of the specific type of expectation. Implications for understanding vulnerability and resiliency in couples negotiating the transition to parenthood are discussed.

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Crossref · 10.1037/0893-3200.21.2.155

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  • Studies show that parents' prenatal expectations of postpartum experiences impact intrapersonal adjustment to parenting and interpersonal couple functioning.

    “Studies show that parents’ prenatal expectations of these postpartum experiences impact intrapersonal adjustment to parenting and interpersonal couple functioning.95,96”

    From The transition to parenthood in obstetrics: enhancing prenatal care for 2-generation impact (2022) · cites this paper as [95]

  • In another report with heterosexual couples, having higher prenatal expectations relative to experiences once the baby was born was associated with greater declines in levels of marital satisfaction after birth.

    “In another report with heterosexual couples, having higher prenatal expectations relative to experiences once the baby was born (eg, about being a parent, competency as a parent, outside help and emotional support, and satisfactory division of family responsibilities) was associated with greater declines in levels of marital satisfaction after birth.95”

    From The transition to parenthood in obstetrics: enhancing prenatal care for 2-generation impact (2022) · cites this paper as [95]

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Authors
Lawrence, E., Nylen, K., & Cobb, R. J.
Affiliations
  • University of Iowa (US)
  • Simon Fraser University (CA)
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Family Psychology
Publisher
American Psychological Association (APA)
Published
2007
Volume
21
Issue
2
Pages
155-164
ISSN
  • 0893-3200 (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-1293
DOI
10.1037/0893-3200.21.2.155
OpenAlex
W2048445499
Cited by
156
References
29
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 12
FWCI
12.82
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Family Psychology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institute of Mental Health
  • University of Iowa
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
  • Social Sciences › Demography › Family Dynamics and Relationships
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
Keywords
prenatal expectations, marital satisfaction, transition to parenthood, newlyweds, pregnancy
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Psychological, Adult, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Male, Marriage, Parents, Personal Satisfaction, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Trimester, Third, Set, Psychology

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