Mitnick, D. M., Heyman, R. E., & Smith, S. A. M. (December 01, 2009). Changes in relationship satisfaction across the transition to parenthood: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Family Psychology, 23, 6, 848-852. doi:10.1037/a0017004
The authors, researchers at the Stony Brook University and State University of New York, use data from 37 studies that followed couples from pregnancy to then the birth of their first child and four studies that followed newlywed couples who did not have children. These couples were compared to test the authors’ hypothesis that there will be a decrease in relationship satisfaction from pregnancy to early parenthood versus no change for the newlywed childless couples. They find their hypothesis to be incorrect. The meta-analysis …show more content…
The study examined the role of depression, gender of the child, the couple’s problem-solving capability and planned pregnancies versus unplanned pregnancies effects on material satisfaction and patterns of problem-solving behavior across transition to parenthood. The study hypothesized that higher levels of depression, having a daughter, an unplanned pregnancy, and poorer couple problem solving skills will be linked to a greater decline in martial satisfaction, poorer recovery across the transition to parenthood and more negative patterns of change in martial interaction for both partners. They find their hypothesis to be correct. The sample was mainly Caucasian couples from a rural southern area with strong traditional values and findings in regards to the birth of a son may be restricted to this type of population and will not be generalizable to other groups was the main limitation of this study. This study has been cited 142 according to the Scopus …show more content…
Giorgi’s method of inductive reasoning was used to analyze the data. Timing, meeting of personal criteria, extended family in close proximity, spacing and desire for the experience of pregnancy, birth and parenting were the five themes which emerged from this study. Women in this study were similar in race, education and socioeconomic status. Utilizing a more diverse group of women might have developed different and/or additional themes regarding women’s pregnancy decisions which is a limitation of this study. This study was not found in the Scopus
The authors, researchers at the Stony Brook University and State University of New York, use data from 37 studies that followed couples from pregnancy to then the birth of their first child and four studies that followed newlywed couples who did not have children. These couples were compared to test the authors’ hypothesis that there will be a decrease in relationship satisfaction from pregnancy to early parenthood versus no change for the newlywed childless couples. They find their hypothesis to be incorrect. The meta-analysis …show more content…
The study examined the role of depression, gender of the child, the couple’s problem-solving capability and planned pregnancies versus unplanned pregnancies effects on material satisfaction and patterns of problem-solving behavior across transition to parenthood. The study hypothesized that higher levels of depression, having a daughter, an unplanned pregnancy, and poorer couple problem solving skills will be linked to a greater decline in martial satisfaction, poorer recovery across the transition to parenthood and more negative patterns of change in martial interaction for both partners. They find their hypothesis to be correct. The sample was mainly Caucasian couples from a rural southern area with strong traditional values and findings in regards to the birth of a son may be restricted to this type of population and will not be generalizable to other groups was the main limitation of this study. This study has been cited 142 according to the Scopus …show more content…
Giorgi’s method of inductive reasoning was used to analyze the data. Timing, meeting of personal criteria, extended family in close proximity, spacing and desire for the experience of pregnancy, birth and parenting were the five themes which emerged from this study. Women in this study were similar in race, education and socioeconomic status. Utilizing a more diverse group of women might have developed different and/or additional themes regarding women’s pregnancy decisions which is a limitation of this study. This study was not found in the Scopus