Adult attachment and jealousy of the partner–infant relationship at the transition to parenthood

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 1745-1765
Author(s):  
Anna L. Olsavsky ◽  
Meghna S. Mahambrey ◽  
Miranda N. Berrigan ◽  
Sarah J. Schoppe-Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Transition To Parenthood ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Dyadic Adjustment ◽  
Third Trimester ◽  
Mothers And Fathers ◽  
Actor Partner Interdependence Model ◽  
Dual Earner ◽  
Early Postpartum ◽  
Expectant Mothers ◽  
Using Data

Using data from a sample of 182 dual-earner different-gender couples who were followed across their transition to parenthood, we adopted a dyadic approach to examine associations between expectant mothers’ and fathers’ attachment anxiety and avoidance in the third trimester of pregnancy and their own and their partners’ jealousy of the partner–infant relationship at 3 months postpartum. Results of an actor–partner interdependence model (APIM) revealed that expectant mothers and fathers higher in attachment anxiety reported greater jealousy of the partner–infant relationship at 3 months postpartum. The partners of expectant mothers and fathers higher in attachment anxiety also reported greater jealousy of the partner–infant relationship. There were no parent gender differences in actor or partner paths linking attachment anxiety and jealousy. Attachment avoidance was not associated with one’s own or one’s partner’s jealousy of the partner–infant relationship. An exploratory mediation analysis revealed greater jealousy of the partner–infant relationship as a potential mechanism linking higher attachment anxiety to lower dyadic adjustment at 9 months postpartum. Overall, results suggest that attachment anxiety in either partner may precipitate maladaptive relationship dynamics in the early postpartum period that may ultimately interfere with the establishment and maintenance of healthy parent–child and coparenting relationships.

A Dyadic Study on Perceived Stress and Couple Adjustment During Pregnancy: The Mediating Role of Depressive Symptoms

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (11) ◽  
pp. 1935-1955 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franco Baldoni ◽  
Michele Giannotti ◽  
Giulia Casu ◽  
Valerio Luperini ◽  
Federico Spelzini
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Transition To Parenthood ◽  
Dyadic Adjustment ◽  
Third Trimester ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Couple Adjustment ◽  
The Relationship

Stress is associated with dyadic adjustment during transition to parenthood, but little is known about mechanisms underlying this link, particularly during prenatal period. This dyadic study explored the mediating role of depressive symptoms in the relationship between perceived stress and dyadic adjustment in expectant couples. One hundred and fourteen couples at the third trimester of pregnancy completed self-reports of perceived stress, depression, and dyadic adjustment. Results indicated that both parents’ perceived stress was associated with their own lower relationship satisfaction directly and indirectly, through their own higher depressive symptoms. Mothers’ perceived stress was also linked to higher fathers’ depressive symptoms, and thus also to lower fathers’ relationship satisfaction. Both parents’ perceived stress was only directly associated with their own dyadic consensus, and their own and their partners’ affectional expression. Findings suggest that interventions aimed at reducing expectant parents’ perceived stress could protect against depressive symptoms and promote the couple’s adjustment during pregnancy.

scholarly journals Natalizumab, Fingolimod and Dimethyl Fumarate Use and Pregnancy-Related Relapse and Disability in Women With Multiple Sclerosis

Neurology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 10.1212/WNL.0000000000012084
Author(s):  
Wei Zhen Yeh ◽  
Putu Ayu Widyastuti ◽  
Anneke Van der Walt ◽  
Jim Stankovich ◽  
Eva Havrdova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Dimethyl Fumarate ◽  
Disability Progression ◽  
Third Trimester ◽  
Early Postpartum ◽  
Pregnancy And Postpartum ◽  
Relapsing Remitting ◽  
Effective Option ◽  
Using Data

Objective:To investigate pregnancy-related disease activity in a contemporary multiple sclerosis (MS) cohort.Methods:Using data from the MSBase Registry, we included pregnancies conceived after 31 Dec 2010 from women with relapsing-remitting MS or clinically isolated syndrome. Predictors of intrapartum relapse, and postpartum relapse and disability progression were determined by clustered logistic regression or Cox regression analyses.Results:We included 1998 pregnancies from 1619 women with MS. Preconception annualized relapse rate (ARR) was 0.29 (95% CI 0.27-0.32), fell to 0.19 (0.14-0.24) in third trimester, and increased to 0.59 (0.51-0.67) in early postpartum. Among women who used fingolimod or natalizumab, ARR before pregnancy was 0.37 (0.28-0.49) and 0.29 (0.22-0.37), respectively, and increased during pregnancy. Intrapartum ARR decreased with preconception dimethyl fumarate use. ARR spiked after delivery across all DMT groups. Natalizumab continuation into pregnancy reduced the odds of relapse during pregnancy (OR 0.76 per month [0.60-0.95], p=0.017). DMT re-initiation with natalizumab protected against postpartum relapse (HR 0.11 [0.04-0.32], p<0.0001). Breastfeeding women were less likely to relapse (HR 0.61 [0.41-0.91], p=0.016). 5.6% of pregnancies were followed by confirmed disability progression, predicted by higher relapse activity in pregnancy and postpartum.Conclusion:Intrapartum and postpartum relapse probabilities increased among women with MS after natalizumab or fingolimod cessation. In women considered to be at high relapse risk, use of natalizumab before pregnancy and continued up to 34 weeks gestation, with early re-initiation after delivery is an effective option to minimize relapse risks. Strategies of DMT use have to be balanced against potential fetal/neonatal complications.

Dyadic Adjustment and Prenatal Parental Depression: A Study with Expectant Mothers and Fathers

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (10) ◽  
pp. 860-881 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia Mangialavori ◽  
Grazia Terrone ◽  
Arianna Cantiano ◽  
Anna Chiara Franquillo ◽  
Giulia Lanza Di Scalea ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptomatology ◽  
Relative Weight ◽  
Marital Relationship ◽  
Perinatal Period ◽  
Dyadic Adjustment ◽  
Prenatal Depression ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Paternal Depression ◽  
Mothers And Fathers ◽  
Expectant Mothers

Introduction: This paper evaluated the relationships between the dyadic adjustment of expectant parents and prenatal maternal and paternal depression. Method: Participants were 98 couples who were expectant parents in the third trimester of pregnancy. Most couples (97%) were primiparous. Participants' prenatal depression, psychiatric symptomatology, perinatal affectivity, and dyadic adjustment were evaluated. Results: Hierarchical regression and relative weight analyses showed the importance of various marital adjustment dimensions in predicting prenatal maternal and paternal depression. In particular, the marital relationship variables of dyadic consensus and affective expression of both partners was related to prenatal depression in expectant mothers, with the relationship even stronger in expectant fathers. The results suggested that for both partners, perception of marital relationship quality contributes to the development of depressive symptoms in new mothers and fathers to a greater degree than the single perception of one partner. Discussion: Clinically, the results suggest that clinicians should focus on partner relationships in the perinatal period. The provision of psychological interventions to improve a couple's functioning may help to protect new parents against depressive symptomatology.

Fathers’ Satisfaction With Physical Affection Before and After the Birth of a New Baby: Cross-Parent Effects and Associations With Family Dynamics

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 415-436
Author(s):  
Yasemin Cava-Tadik ◽  
Geoffrey L. Brown ◽  
Sarah C. Mangelsdorf
Keyword(s):  
Transition To Parenthood ◽  
Household Labor ◽  
Third Trimester ◽  
Couple And Family Therapy ◽  
Division Of Household Labor ◽  
Actor Partner Interdependence Model ◽  
Path Analyses ◽  
Physical Affection ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Therapy Education

This study examined the correlates of fathers’ satisfaction with physical affection (SPA) in their marital relationship before and after the birth of a new baby. Both parents ( N = 97) completed surveys assessing SPA, and fathers completed surveys assessing division of household labor and coparenting quality during the third trimester of pregnancy and again at 3 months post-birth. An actor-partner interdependence model revealed partner effects, such that mothers’ SPA post-birth was predicted by fathers’ SPA pre-birth but not viceversa. Cross-lagged path analyses indicated that fathers who have high SPA pre-birth reported more supportive coparenting post-birth. Furthermore, fathers who believed pre-birth that they would be more involved in child-related household labor had increased SPA after the birth of a new baby. Results are discussed in terms of implications for couple and family therapy, education for new fathers, as well as programs designed to support parents during the transition to parenthood.

Time Strains and Psychological Well-Being

2005 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 756-792 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kei M. Nomaguchi ◽  
Melissa A. Milkie ◽  
Suzanne M. Bianchi
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Free Time ◽  
National Study ◽  
Paid Work ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Mothers And Fathers ◽  
Dual Earner ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Relationship

Using data from the 1997 National Study of the Changing Workforce, these authors examine gender differences in feeling time strain for children, spouse, and oneself and in the association of these feelings with psychological well-being among dual-earner parents. Fathers are more likely than mothers to report feeling time deficits with their children and spouse; however, it is primarily because fathers spend more hours in paid work than mothers. Yet feelings of time deficits with children and spouse are associated with lower well-being only for mothers. In terms of time for oneself, mothers more than fathers feel strains, net of the time they spend on free-time activities. Mothers and fathers who feel a time shortage for themselves express lower well-being, although for some measures, the relationship is stronger for fathers.

scholarly journals Do Workplace Flexibility Policies Influence Time Spent in Domestic Labor?

2007 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 263-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary C. Noonan ◽  
Sarah Beth Estes ◽  
Jennifer L. Glass
Keyword(s):  
Child Care ◽  
Domestic Labor ◽  
Flexible Work ◽  
Workplace Flexibility ◽  
Mothers And Fathers ◽  
Labor Time ◽  
Dual Earner ◽  
Part Time ◽  
Flexible Work Schedules ◽  
Using Data

Using data from a U.S. midwestern sample of mothers and fathers, the authors examine whether using workplace flexibility policies alters time spent in housework and child care. They hypothesize that an individual’s policy use will lead to more time in domestic labor and that his or her spouse’s policy use will lead to less time in domestic labor. Several results support their hypotheses. Mothers who work part-time spend more time in housework and their husbands spend less time in housework. Also, mothers who work at home spend more time in child care. One policy has the opposite of the predicted effect: Wives with flexible work schedules do less housework, and their husbands do more. Overall, mothers’ policy use has counterbalancing effects on their own and their spouses’ domestic labor time, implying that policy use has little net impact on total domestic labor time within dual-earner families.

Partner Support as a Protection Against Distress During the Transition to Parenthood

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (9) ◽  
pp. 1107-1125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurélie Gillis ◽  
Barbara Gabriel ◽  
Sarah Galdiolo ◽  
Isabelle Roskam
Keyword(s):  
Transition To Parenthood ◽  
Longitudinal Design ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Partner Support ◽  
Heterosexual Couples ◽  
Third Trimester ◽  
Mothers And Fathers ◽  
The Third ◽  
Before And After

The majority of previous studies focused on mothers’ distress and considered partner support from the father to the mother. The current research studies the level and the course of distress and partner support in new mothers and fathers during the transition to parenthood and tests the protective role of partner support against distress. Data were collected in a two-wave longitudinal design from 53 heterosexual couples. Mothers and fathers completed questionnaires at two measurement occasions, that is, in the third trimester of pregnancy and 3 months after childbirth. The results provided arguments in favor of a dyadic perspective on distress during the transition to parenthood. No difference was displayed between mothers and fathers before and after childbirth. The level of distress decreased in mothers and also in fathers but only for those whose partner’s distress also decreased. The importance of partner support against postpartum distress was highlighted for mothers and fathers.

scholarly journals Changes in Attachment and Commitment in Couples Transitioning to Parenthood

2021 ◽  
pp. 0192513X2110269
Author(s):  
Rose Lapolice Thériault ◽  
Audrey Brassard ◽  
Anne-Sophie Gingras ◽  
Anne Brault-Labbé ◽  
Marie-France Lafontaine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transition To Parenthood ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Relationship Commitment ◽  
Second Trimester ◽  
Attachment Avoidance ◽  
Actor Partner Interdependence Model ◽  
Path Analyses ◽  
Major Transition ◽  
Bidirectional Associations ◽  
Attachment Dimensions

This study examined whether attachment predicts changes in commitment and whether commitment predicts changes in attachment in both partners during the transition to parenthood. Both partners of 93 couples completed online questionnaires individually at the second trimester of pregnancy and at 4 months postpartum. Autoregressive cross-lagged path analyses based on the Actor–Partner Interdependence Model tested the bidirectional associations between attachment dimensions (anxiety and avoidance) and three modes of commitment (optimal, over-commitment, and under-commitment). Results revealed that for both partners, prenatal attachment avoidance was associated with a decrease in optimal commitment and an increase in under-commitment from pre- to postpartum. Fathers’ attachment anxiety was associated with a decrease in mothers’ under-commitment. Furthermore, prenatal optimal commitment was associated with a decrease in attachment avoidance, whereas under-commitment was associated with an increase in attachment avoidance. Fathers’ prenatal over-commitment was associated with an increase in their own attachment anxiety and avoidance. These results highlight how attachment insecurities and relationship commitment interrelate during this major transition.

scholarly journals Extending the Study of Gelotophobia, Gelotophilia, and Katagelasticism in Romantic Life Toward Romantic Attachment

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 86-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kay Brauer ◽  
René T. Proyer ◽  
Willibald Ruch
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Attachment Styles ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Romantic Attachment ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Romantic Couples ◽  
Actor Partner Interdependence Model ◽  
Using Data

Abstract. Gelotophobia (fear of being laughed at), gelotophilia (joy in being laughed at), and katagelasticism (joy in laughing at others) describe individual differences in how people deal with ridicule and being laughed at. We study their association with romantic attachment styles and romantic outcomes in adults. Study 1 ( N = 247) shows that gelotophobia goes along with higher expressions in attachment anxiety and avoidance. This study also provides support for the notion that gelotophobes demonstrate a lower likelihood of entering romantic relationships (odds ratio = 0.62/0.64 for past/current relationship status). Gelotophilia goes along with lower avoidance and katagelasticism exists independently from romantic attachment. Study 2 replicates the findings in 154 heterosexual romantic couples using Actor–Partner Interdependence Model analyses. However, katagelasticism was related to greater attachment anxiety in this sample of couples. A mini-meta analysis using data from both studies ( N = 555) clarified this association and showed that the joy in laughing at others yields a small positive association with attachment anxiety. Further, attachment styles mediate associations between the dispositions and relationship satisfaction in the couples. Overall, the dispositions are distinctively related with romantic attachment styles and our findings contribute to the understanding of the role of dealing with ridicule and laughter in romantic life.

scholarly journals Conditional regard, stress, and dyadic adjustment in primiparous couples: A dyadic analysis perspective

2021 ◽  
pp. 026540752199356
Author(s):  
Alexandra Cournoyer ◽  
Julie C. Laurin ◽  
Marie-Ève Daspe ◽  
Sophie Laniel ◽  
Anne-Sophie Huppé
Keyword(s):  
Transition To Parenthood ◽  
Psychological Needs ◽  
Basic Psychological Needs ◽  
Dyadic Adjustment ◽  
Dyadic Analysis ◽  
Mediation Model ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
The Relationship

Many couples transitioning into parenthood are at risk for dyadic adjustment declines. It is therefore important to explore key, theory-driven deterrents of enduring relationships during this period, as well as potential underlying mechanisms. This study examined the relationship between perceived conditional negative regard (i.e. a behavior that thwarts basic psychological needs; T1), stress (T1), and dyadic adjustment (T2) during the transition to parenthood. Primiparous couples ( N = 144) were recruited to fill out an online questionnaire when their babies were 6-months (T1) and 12-months (T2). Path analysis with an Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model was conducted. Results show that for each partner (actor effects), stress (T1) mediated the link between perceived conditional negative regard (T1), and later dyadic adjustment (T2). For the partner effects, while stress (T1) did not play a mediating role between these variables, other partner effects were found. Each primiparous parent’s perceived conditional negative regard (T1) was associated with the other parent’s later dyadic adjustment (T2). However, when examining longitudinal changes in stress and dyadic adjustment over time (T2, controlling for respective T1), no significant associations were found. Overall, the findings shed light on the dyadic associations of conditional negative regard, and the mechanisms through which it is negatively tied with dyadic adjustment during the transition to parenthood.

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