Couple’s well-being and parenting in the transition to parenthood: what are the gender differences?
Title | Couple’s well-being and parenting in the transition to parenthood: what are the gender differences? |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2013 |
Authors | Bartolo G, Benedetto L, Ingrassia M |
Journal | Interdisciplinary Journal of Family Studies |
Volume | 18 |
Issue | 1 |
Pagination | 30-50 |
Date Published | 06/2013 |
Publisher | Padova University Press |
Place Published | Padova, IT |
ISSN Number | 2282-2011 |
Keywords | couple 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. |