The DOI matches its Crossref record; 28 of the 29 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Prenatal expectations and marital satisfaction over the transition to parenthood
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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“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 the citing paper
“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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Items 101–155 of 155
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Expectations of Parenthood and Children's Development
Wamser‐Nanney, R. A. (2019) · Journal of Traumatic Stress · doi:10.1002/jts.22398 · Cited by 6
Babaların Gebelik Dönemine ve Doğum Sürecine Katılımı Üzerine Bir Derleme
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Tran, C. B., Ivanova, K., Reitz, A. K., & Stavrova, O. (2024) · Social Psychological and Personality Science · doi:10.1177/19485506241260570 · Cited by 3
“This is somewhat surprising as a previous study reported a steeper rate of decline in marital satisfaction in parents with more positive expectations pre birth (Lawrence et al., 2007).”
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BackgroundMarital Satisfaction Across the Transition to Parenthood
Sanders, K. M. (2010) · Lincoln (University of Nebraska) · Cited by 3
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“1,2,33 Lack of marital satisfaction during pregnancy is important in terms of the fact that it negatively affects parents ’ roles as mother and father.”
Luppi, F. (2014) · Cited by 2
Maternal Expectations Among Pregnant Women from Single, Lesbian, and Heterosexual Parented families
Kahalon, R., Preis, H., Shilo, G., & Benyamini, Y. (2020) · Journal of Family Issues · doi:10.1177/0192513x20933927 · Cited by 2
“…positive expectations might also compromise women’s well-being, as they may lead to a decrease in parental adjustment and an increase in depressive symptoms (Flykt et al., 2014), especially when these unrealistic expectations are disconfirmed (Harwood et al., 2007; Lawrence et al., 2007).”
BackgroundThe Transition to Parenthood: From Adjustment to Personal Growth
Israelashvili, M., & Ben‐Ari, O. T. –. (2023) · Advances in prevention science · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-26700-0_8 · Cited by 3
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“서구의 문헌에서는 부모전이기에 결혼만족도가 감소하는 경향 이 있다고 보고, 첫째 출산으로 부부관계가 어떻게 변화하는지를 종단적으로 살펴본 연구가 다수 이루어졌다(Foran et al., 2013; Lawrence et al., 2007).”
Roy, R. N., Schumm, W. R., & Britt, S. L. (2013) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-4614-7768-6_6 · Cited by 1
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Wamser‐Nanney, R. A., & Sager, J. C. (2023) · Journal of Traumatic Stress · doi:10.1002/jts.22993 · Cited by 1
“Parents’ beliefs about parenthood are closely related to parenting behaviors (Beckerman et al., 2017; Bert et al., 2009; Bouchard, 2009; Lawrence et al., 2007), and negative or inaccurate opinions about children and child development are associated with a higher potential for child abuse (Rodriguez…”
Reintegration Difficulty of Military Couples Following Deployment
Knobloch, L. K., & Knobloch-Fedders, L. M. (2016) · Cited by 1
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“It is also important to conduct this work among individuals who may become parents, given the stability of parenting beliefs as well as the tie between these expectations and parenting outcomes (Harwood et al., 2007; Lawrence et al., 2007).”
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“…of discrepancies regarding this task division for relationship satisfaction, co-parenting, and well-being (e.g., Ascigil et al., 2021; Biehle & Mickelson, 2012; Brandén et al., 2018; Khazan et al., 2008; Lawrence et al., 2007; Milkie et al., 2002; Mitnick et al., 2022; Shockley & Allen, 2018).”
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Metadata
- Authors
- Lawrence, E., Nylen, K., & Cobb, R. J.
- Affiliations
- University of Iowa (US)
- Simon Fraser University (CA)
- Venue
- Journal of Family Psychology
- Published
- 2007
- Volume
- 21
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 155-164
- ISSN
- 0893-3200 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-1293
- 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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