Couple’s well-being and parenting in the transition to parenthood: what are the gender differences?

TitleCouple’s well-being and parenting in the transition to parenthood: what are the gender differences?
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2013
AuthorsBartolo G, Benedetto L, Ingrassia M
JournalInterdisciplinary Journal of Family Studies
Volume18
Issue1
Pagination30-50
Date Published06/2013
PublisherPadova University Press
Place PublishedPadova, IT
ISSN Number2282-2011
Keywordscouple adjustment, gender differences, parenting stress, transition to parenthood
Abstract

The study investigates gender differences in the transition to parenthood (from the last trimester of the pregnancy to the 6th month from child’s birth) with a short-term longitudinal design aimed to assess couple’s adjustment (agreement, satisfaction, cohesion, affectivity, and marital self-efficacy), parenting stress and self-efficacy, and temperamental characteristics of the newborn. After birth, all marital and parental measures (with the exception of stress) significantly decrease, as well as child’s temperamental levels of activity and emotionality increase. Gender differences emerge for agreement, cohesion, and parenting stress, not for self-efficacy constructs. The 3rd post-birth month results particularly critical, because couple’s satisfaction measures get to lowest level for men and parental stress is highest for women.

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