Submitted by: Heidi Liss Radunovich, PhD, Assistant Professor of Human Development

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Salmela-Aro, K., Aunola, K., Saisto, T., Halmesmäki, E., & Nurmi, J. (2006). Couples share similar changes in depressive symptoms and marital satisfaction anticipating the birth of a child [Electronic version]. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 23, 781-803.

Introduction

Although it is evident that the birth of a child has a large impact on the relationship of a couple, the exact mechanisms of how it affects the relationship are less clear. Previous studies have not looked at this issue longitudinally (following a couple over time), compared those having their first child with those having a later child, or looked at both members of the couple as well as their interaction. This study, which took place in Finland, takes a more thorough look at the adjustment of both members of the couple over time. They sought to examine both depressive symptoms and marital satisfaction in both members of a couple over time: as they were preparing for and after the birth of their first child; whether the two issues impacted one another; whether there were differences between it being a first or later child; and did likelihood of divorce increase with the birth of a child, and with changes in depressive symptoms and marital satisfaction.

Methodology

Although 407 women who attended prenatal care were originally contacted to participate in the study, 320 women agreed to participate (32 refused, 20 miscarried, and 28 were single so not eligible for the study). There were 260 male partners of these women who also participated in the study. Over the course of the study both members of the couple were surveyed 4 times: early in the pregnancy (around 12 weeks), one month before the birth (around 36 weeks), 3 months after the birth, and around 2 years after the birth. At the end of the study, 187 females and 127 males had completed all measures. Interestingly, those who dropped out of the study had lower marital satisfaction at the start of the study.

Depression was examined at all 4 points by using the Beck Depression Inventory; the couple’s marital satisfaction was examined at all 4 points by using the Dyadic Adjustment Scale; and whether or not a couple had divorced was assessed at point 4 (2 years after birth) by using the Life Changes Questionnaire. Additionally, age, education, employment, marital status, and number of children were recorded at the start of the study. Multilevel modeling was used to examine the relationships among the variables for each individual and for the couple as a unit.

Main Ideas

Depression and relationship satisfaction seemed consistent within a couple, such that higher depressive symptoms in one spouse meant that the other spouse was likely to have depressive symptoms, and level of relationship satisfaction was similar for each member in a couple. Also, depression and relationship satisfaction seemed to go together, such that higher depressive symptoms were associated with lower relationship satisfaction, and lower depressive symptoms with higher relationship satisfaction. However, it is unclear why they go together: do depressive symptoms lead to lower relationship satisfaction, or does lower relationship satisfaction lead to more depressive symptoms (or both)?

Another interesting finding was that those who had more depressive symptoms before the birth of the baby showed a reduction in symptoms after the birth of the baby, but those with lower levels of symptoms at the start showed an increase in depressive symptoms after the birth of the baby. There was a similar finding for relationship satisfaction: low relationship satisfaction at the start of the pregnancy was associated with higher satisfaction after the birth, and higher relationship satisfaction before the birth was associated with lower relationship satisfaction after the birth. There were also gender differences: women were more likely to have depressive symptoms than men, but women were more satisfied with the relationship before the birth of the baby, and showed less of a decrease in satisfaction after the birth of the baby than did men. Interestingly, those couples that already had children showed more depressive symptoms and lower relationship satisfaction during this pregnancy, but there was improvement after birth.

Some of these findings differ from the results of other studies. The research literature has shown that how satisfied you are in your relationship decreased for most couples after the birth of a child, but couples who were happier in their relationship before the baby had less of a decrease in satisfaction (e.g., Shapiro, Gottman, & Carrere, 2000). It is unclear why this study found different results, but perhaps some of it could be related to cultural differences (previous studies were conducted in the US or similar countries), or societal policy differences (in Finland there is state supported medical care, paid time off from work, and supplemental money provided to parents until the child is age 3) that could lead to different results. It could also be the way that researchers look at the issues (how marital satisfaction is measured and when).

Implications for Extension Programs

For Extension agents who work with parents expecting a child (particularly their first child), it may be good to inform them that symptoms of depression are common after the birth of the child, especially for women. It may also be good to prepare expectant parents for some of the changes that could occur in their relationship with their partner, and help them to strengthen their relationship in anticipation of the demands of a new baby. However, it is important to remember that not all couples are the same, and culture or circumstances may play a part in the changes that occur with the birth of a child.

Conclusion

Although previous research suggests that couples’ satisfaction with their relationship reduces with the birth of a child, and that happiness with the relationship prior to the birth of a child predicts happiness after the birth of the child, this study suggests that this mechanism may not work the same way in all couples or in all cultures. In this study couples whose relationships were unhappy prior to the birth of the child showed improvement, while those who were happy prior to the birth of the child showed reductions in happiness. There were consistent reports from both partners in a couple: if one person was happy in the relationship, the other would report a similar level of happiness. Finally, it was found that depressive symptoms and relationship satisfaction had an inverse relationship, so those with high levels of depressive symptoms had lower levels of relationship satisfaction, while those with fewer depressive symptoms reported higher levels of relationship satisfaction. Although these states (depressive symptoms and relationship satisfaction) vary together, it is unclear whether one causes the other.

Additional References

Shapiro, A.F., Gottman, J., & Carrere (2000). The baby and the marriage: Identifying factors that buffer against decline in marital satisfaction after the first baby arrives. Journal of Family Psychology, 14, 59-70.

Submitted by: Heidi Liss Radunovich, PhD, Assistant Professor of Human Development

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Halford, W.K., O’Donnell, C., Lizzio, A., & Wilson, K.L. (2006). Do couples at high risk of relationship problems attend premarriage education? [Electronic version] Journal of Family Psychology, 20, 160-163.

Introduction

Although studies suggest that most couples benefit from premarital education, the research literature suggests that couples who are at risk for marital problems are the ones who benefit most from premarital education. However, are those who are at higher risk for marital problems likely to obtain premarital education? This study examined whether factors associated with higher risk for divorce had an impact on whether or not couples obtained premarital education.

Methodology

This study was conducted in Australia. In order to recruit participants, all newly married couples within an Australian state were contacted 6 weeks after marriage if they were married within 3 randomly selected months over the course of about a year and a half. A total of 6,656 couples were married during that time frame, and were contacted regarding the study. Of those couples, only 447 couples volunteered to participate in the study.

A total of 384 couples completed all study procedures. Income and education of this sample were slightly higher than for the general population of Australia, but slightly lower than would be expected for a United States population. Participants completed a battery of measures that asked about demographic information, whether or not any type of premarital education was received, and specific measures of relationship adjustment and aggression.

Main Ideas

The two variables that consistently predicted attendance at marriage education were religious service attendance and not living together prior to marriage. Living together before marriage has been associated with poorer marital outcome, and religious attendance has been associated with better marital outcome. Level of education, age, history of parental divorce, having a prior marriage, aggression in the relationship, and stability of the relationship did not predict attendance at premarital education. Overall, the data suggests that those couples with higher risk factors for divorce were less likely to attend premarital education than those with lower risk factors. It is important to keep in mind that this study was conducted in a different country ( Australia), and that those couples who volunteered to participate in this study (only about 6% of the total number eligible) might be somewhat different from the general population. However, it is notable that, similar to the US, Australia does not provide free, easy access to premarital education. Therefore, it is understandable that many of those who received premarital education likely did so through their religious institution, and may have been required to do so in order to get married by their religious institution. Interestingly, the researchers did not comment on the types of premarital education used, nor do they describe the length or type of education available.

Implications for Extension Programs

The State of Florida provides an incentive for premarital education by providing a discount in the cost of the marriage license to those Florida couples who receive premarital education. However, this does not mean that premarital education is widely available at a low cost. Cooperative Extension within the state of Florida provides the Before You Tie the Knot premarital education program at low or no cost, but this program is only available in a few select counties. Furthermore, it is unclear whether those most at risk would participate in such a program, even when offered at free or reduced cost. Although it would be helpful to increase the availability of the Before You Tie the Knot program to other counties, perhaps efforts should be made to increase the availability of the program information via multiple formats (in person, virtual, self-taught via written materials or video) so that those who can’t easily attend a premarital program in person, or who would feel uncomfortable doing so, could receive premarital education through alternative methods. Finally, tailoring the materials to meet the need of various types of couples, including those from other cultures and with various levels of literacy, would help reach a wider audience (Ooms & Wilson, 2004).

Conclusion

Quality premarital education has been associated with improved marital satisfaction (Jakubowski, Milne, Brunner & Miller, 2004). However, those couples who may benefit most from premarital education may be less likely to receive premarital education. Attempts to increase availability through traditional as well as alternative methods would be beneficial.

Additional References

Jakubowski, S.F., Milne, E.P., Brunner, H., & Miller, R.B. (2004). A review of empirically supported marital enrichment programs [Electronic version]. Family Relations, 53, 528-536.

Ooms, T., & Wilson, P. (2004). The challenges of offering relationship and marriage education to low-income populations [Electronic version]. Family Relations, 53, 440-447.

Peacock, D., & Radunovich, H. (2006). So You Are Getting Married in Florida! EDIS publication FCS 2179.