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Preparing for Parenthood:Individual and Couple Models of Anxiety and Marital Satisfaction

Biehle, Susanne N.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1247760029

Abstract Details

2009, MA, Kent State University, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Psychological Sciences.
One of the most significant life transitions in adulthood is becoming a parent. Many prior studies found that many couples experiencing the transition to parenthood have a decrease in marital satisfaction following the birth of their first baby (e.g. Belsky & Kelly, 1994); however, few studies attempt to examine what factors during pregnancy impact antenatal marital satisfaction. If declines in relationship satisfaction can be prevented during pregnancy, couples may experience less difficulty in the transition to parenthood. One way to help is when couples engage in behaviors to prepare for the birth of their baby. Yet, little is known about the role of proactive coping both individually and communally and their relation to anxiety and marital satisfaction. Additionally, parenting efficacy has been found to be important with new parents after the birth of their baby to predict role satisfaction, mood, and marital adjustment (e.g. Teti & Gelfand, 1991). Because few prior studies have examined parenting efficacy during pregnancy, the current study will examine the role that parenting efficacy has on feelings of responsibility for the pregnancy and proactive coping efforts. Some researchers argue that the transition to parenthood cannot be examined solely through one partner, or only the couple, because there are three different viewpoints in a marriage that need to be examined: his, hers, and theirs (Cowan et al., 1985). The current study will use this approach to explore how preparing to have a baby can impact both the individual and the couple. Structural equation models will be used to examine the pathways between feelings of responsibility about the pregnancy, parenting efficacy, and proactive coping on anxiety and marital satisfaction.
Kristin Mickelson, PhD (Advisor)
Mary Ann Stephens, PhD (Committee Member)
John Updegraff, PhD (Committee Member)
Jeff Ciesla, PhD (Committee Member)
63 p.
Psychology
parenthood; pregnancy; coping; parenting efficacy; gender differences; marriage

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Biehle, S. N. (2009). Preparing for Parenthood:Individual and Couple Models of Anxiety and Marital Satisfaction [Master's thesis, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1247760029

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Biehle, Susanne. Preparing for Parenthood:Individual and Couple Models of Anxiety and Marital Satisfaction. 2009. Kent State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1247760029.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Biehle, Susanne. "Preparing for Parenthood:Individual and Couple Models of Anxiety and Marital Satisfaction." Master's thesis, Kent State University, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1247760029

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

kent1247760029
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© 2009, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Kent State University and OhioLINK.