Research on the Transition to Parenthood

(University of Lausanne, July 26, 2013)

Coralie Magni-Speck recently defended a PhD in psychology exploring how the birth of the first child impacts the young couple’s identity. The study investigated how 50 couples perceive their identity and whether the child’s arrival affects their values. While the event triggers a significant decrease in marital satisfaction, couples with children appear to align on values, and such major life events enable them to evolve and adapt to new circumstances. The study identified factors influencing parents’ degree of satisfaction, with men focusing more on the couple and women on individual elements, like how to reconcile private and professional lives. In a clinical or preventive context, young parents should be made aware of how the transition to parenthood affects each partner.