Previous studies show large heterogeneity in trajectories of change in relationship satisfaction across the transition to parenthood (TtP). TtP may thus act as a catalyst for decreases in relationship satisfaction only in subgroups of couples. Yet we know little about predictors of this heterogeneity in new parents. Drawing on a commitment framework, we examined whether indicators of “deciding” on parenthood (versus “sliding” into it) predicted latent group membership in regard to change in relationship satisfaction during early parenthood. Indicators for sliding comprised non-marital cohabitation (vs. marriage), unplanned pregnancy (vs. planned), no wish for the child (vs. wish for child), and doubts about the future of the relationship (vs. no doubts). Participants were first-time mothers (N = 1371) and their partners recruited for the Family-start-up Program, and who provided three waves of survey data across pregnancy, 10 and 52 months postpartum. Furthermore, register-based information on sociodemographic variables was included to take into account selection effects. We employed Latent Class Growth Analysis.

This study will provide insight into prenatal indicators of sliding in couples as potential risk factors for more pronounced negative trajectory of relationship quality across early parenthood. Increasing knowledge on these potential important decision processes in couples and their consequences may inform health personnel’s early preventive family interventions especially in high-risk subgroups.

Keywords: lack of commitment, sliding-processes, trajectories of relationship functioning over early parenthood, dyadic processes, gender roles.   

Head of Project:

Hanne Nørr Fentz

Other associates:

Tea Trillingsgaard, Marianne Simonsen, Mikkel Houmark