6533b7d6fe1ef96bd1266f22
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Couples share similar changes in depressive symptoms and marital satisfaction anticipating the birth of a child
Erja HalmesmäkiJari-erik NurmiKatariina Salmela-aroTerhi SaistoKaisa Aunolasubject
medicine.medical_specialtyPregnancyLongitudinal studySociology and Political ScienceSocial PsychologyCommunication05 social sciencesMultilevel model050109 social psychologymedicine.disease050105 experimental psychologyFamily lifeMarital satisfactionDevelopmental and Educational PsychologymedicineChildbirth0501 psychology and cognitive sciencesPsychologyPsychiatryDepressive symptomsdescription
The birth of a child is a demanding family life situation. This longitudinal study investigated to what extent spouses' depressive symptoms and marital dissatisfaction associated with pregnancy and childbirth (and their changes over time) were characteristic of the spousal relationship and/or the individual spouses. Pregnant women (N= 320) and their spouses (N = 259) were examined twice before and twice following childbirth. Results indicated that changes in depressive symptoms and marital satisfaction during pregnancy were characteristic of the spousal relationship, whereas changes after birth were characteristic of both the relationship and the individual spouses. Couples with initially high marital satisfaction reported a later decrease, whereas those with initially low satisfaction reported an increase.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-10-01 | Journal of Social and Personal Relationships |