A Longitudinal Examination of Common Dyadic Coping and Sexual Distress in New Parent Couples during the Transition to Parenthood

The transition to parenthood (TTP) often is associated with declines in couple relationship satisfaction. The current study evaluated changes in three relationship behaviors, namely communication, dyadic coping and relationship self-regulation, across the TTP and the association of those behaviors with relationship satisfaction. One hundred and three couples completed questionnaires twice before and three times after the birth of their first child. Prenatally, all behaviors were stable, except negative communication that declined. Postnatally, positive relationship behaviors decreased in both genders, and negative communication increased in men. Negative behaviors were associated with relationship satisfaction throughout the TTP. Furthermore, relationship self-regulation strategies and males’ negative dyadic coping prospectively predicted male relationship satisfaction, while men’s supportive dyadic coping predicted female relationship satisfaction. Enhancing positive relationship behaviors through relationship education programs might help couples successfully adjust to parenthood.

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Associations Between Postpartum Depressive Symptoms and Couples’ Sexual Function and Sexual Distress Trajectories Across the Transition to Parenthood

Annals of Behavioral Medicine ◽

10.1093/abm/kaaa117 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Samantha J Dawson ◽

Nathan D Leonhardt ◽

Emily A Impett ◽

Natalie O Rosen

Keyword(s):

Risk Factor ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Sexual Dysfunction ◽

Sexual Health ◽

Sexual Function ◽

Transition To Parenthood ◽

Growth Curve Models ◽

Postpartum Depressive Symptoms ◽

Sexual Distress ◽

Postpartum Mothers

Abstract Background The transition to parenthood is associated with changes to new parents’ mood and sexual health. Sexual dysfunction—problems with sexual function accompanied by sexual distress (i.e., worries and concerns about one’s sex life)—is linked to poorer overall health, yet few studies have examined how sexual dysfunction unfolds for couples during this transition. Postpartum depression is a risk factor for sexual dysfunction; however, the association between depressive symptoms and how postpartum sexual dysfunction evolves has not been examined. Purpose To establish trajectories of sexual function and sexual distress for mothers and partners and to examine if postpartum depressive symptoms were associated with these trajectories. Methods Data were collected from 203 first-time parent couples from midpregnancy until 12-months postpartum. Sexual function and sexual distress were assessed at six time points (two prenatal) and depressive symptoms were assessed at 3-months postpartum. Results Dyadic latent piece-wise growth curve models revealed significant declines in mothers’ and partners’ sexual function between pregnancy and 3-months postpartum and significant improvements from 3- to 12-months postpartum. Mothers’ sexual distress increased between pregnancy and 3-months postpartum and decreased thereafter, whereas partner’s sexual distress remained stable. Depressive symptoms were associated with poorer sexual function and higher sexual distress at 3-months postpartum for both partners but did not predict change over time. Conclusions Mothers and their partners experience changes to their sexual function during the transition to parenthood; however, mothers are at greater risk of sexual dysfunction. Depressive symptoms are a risk factor for poorer sexual health at 3-months postpartum for both parents.

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Fair enough? Decreased equity of dyadic coping across the transition to parenthood associated with depression of first-time parents

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0227342 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. e0227342

Author(s):

Fabienne Meier ◽

Anne Milek ◽

Valentina Rauch-Anderegg ◽

Christelle Benz-Fragnière ◽

Jan Willem Nieuwenboom ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Transition To Parenthood ◽

Dyadic Coping ◽

First Time

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The Role of Dyadic Coping for the Individual and Relational Well-Being of Couples During the Transition to Parenthood

Journal of Family Issues ◽

10.1177/0192513x211022394 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 0192513X2110223

Author(s):

Sara Molgora ◽

Acquati Chiara ◽

Saita Emanuela

Keyword(s):

Transition To Parenthood ◽

Well Being ◽

Dyadic Coping ◽

Coping Behaviors ◽

Actor Partner Interdependence Model ◽

Couple Adjustment ◽

Relational Outcomes ◽

The Individual ◽

Anxiety Depression

Becoming parents represents a potentially stressful transition, which may negatively affect the individual and relational well-being of both partners. Limited literature has investigated the role of dyadic coping during the transition to parenthood. This work explored partners’ differences in dyadic coping, anxiety, depression, and couple adjustment during pregnancy and 3 months postpartum. Furthermore, through Actor–Partner Interdependence Model analyses, the relationship between common dyadic coping and well-being was investigated. Women reported higher levels of depression at both times and men presented higher levels of anxiety in the postpartum. For women, higher scores on couple adjustment were predicted by their own and their partner’s common dyadic coping. For men, higher scores on anxiety were associated with elevated common dyadic coping. Results highlight gender-related predictors on postpartum well-being and support the need to assess individual and relational outcomes across the transition to parenthood to better understand the role of dyadic coping behaviors.

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