The presence of the child, the opportunity or a threat to marital satisfaction: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this qualitative study was to explore if the presence of a child in the family was an opportunity or threat to the marital life. METHODS: In this common qualitative content analysis, semi-structured interviews with 20 participants were conducted. All of the interviews were recorded and then transcribed. The data were categorized, and the main themes and sub-themes were extracted. RESULTS: Twenty transcription were analysed. The data analysis led to the development of the first theme of "feeling evolution" with the category of "flourishing the motherhood sense," and the second theme of "strengthening the marital life" with the two categories of "the marital life stabilization" and "efforts for a common goal." CONCLUSIONS: The presence of the child can lead to the feeling of development and stabilizing the marital life. Furthermore, the presence of the child can facilitate or hinder marital satisfaction. Given the challenges due to a lack of preparation of parents for childbirth, consultation and support by family members or the society can help with adaptation with this life period and increasing the positive effects of the presence of the child on parents' relationships and marital satisfaction. KEYWORDS: Iran; marital satisfaction; opportunity; presence of child; qualitative study; threa