Final pt 1 (Common developmental changes in Relationships)

TtP

Transition to Parenthood

Increases in Cohabitation
____ of young adults will live with intimate partner without being married
___-___ typical age of cohabiters

half of young adults will live with intimate partner without being married
25-34 typical age of cohabiters

Reasons for cohabiting

Pragmatics
Finances
Test compatibility for marriage

Cohabitation effect

Link found between cohabitation and negative relationship outcomes and poorer relationship functioning

Reasons for Cohabitation Effect

-Harder to end relationship when living together

Relationship Inertia Hypothesis

Harder to end-> proceeds to marriage
Slide rather than decide on commitment
Doesn't weaken relationships, but make make poor quality relationships more likely to continue into marriage

Those who cohabited before engagement reported

lower marital satisfaction, dedication, and confidence & greater potential for divorce

New Parents report:

Decreased relationship satisfaction
Fewer couple activities
Less sex and physical intimacy
Increased conflict during TtP

Lawrence et al.
Selection effect: Couples who had child in first 5 years of marriage

were more satisfied as newlywed than couples who were not parents after 5 years

Lawrence et al.
Planned vs unplanned pregnancies

couples with planned experienced less decline than unplanned

Lawrence et al.
Parents more satisfied prior to pregnancy

More satisfied- steeper declines in satisfaction

Don & Mickelson (2014)
What predicted moderate vs. steep declines?
Paternal perceptions of positive support from wives

less decline in satisfaction for mothers and fathers

Don & Mickelson (2014)
What predicted moderate vs. steep declines?
Paternal prenatal anxiety

moderate and steep declines in maternal satisfaction

Don & Mickelson (2014)
What predicted moderate vs. steep declines?
Greater self-esteem among wives prenatally

less decline in satisfaction for fathers

Don & Mickelson (2014)
What predicted moderate vs. steep declines?
More maternal daily stress during pregnancy

moderate and steep declines for fathers

Gender Roles attitudes

became more traditional from pregnancy to 1st year

Women reported almost ____ as much childcare as male partners

twice

for men and women
Higher contributions to childcare ->

higher childcare self-efficacy

higher childcare self-efficacy ->

steady improvement in relationship satisfaction

lower childcare self-efficacy ->

declines in satisfaction over time