Identifying factors associated with successful transition to parenthood

Married couples from the National Survey of Families and Households (NSFH) were studied over their transition to parenthood. Adjustment in marital, family of origin, and parent-child relationships, life stress, and social support were assessed at Time 1 and Time 2. No significant Time 1 findings occurred. Time 2 regression (R2 = .23, p \u3c .001) indicates that post birth reports of traditional marital sex roles, perceptions of labor fairness, high satisfaction with family life, and higher reports of stress are linked to increased well-being over the transition to parenthood. Multiple marriages are shown to decrease well-being after childbirth. Higher post-birth marital satisfaction and high levels of friendship satisfaction are related to reduced depression over the transition to parenthood, while higher levels of post-birth social activity increased depression (R 2 = .12, p \u3c .001). Social support is found to buffer the negative effect of stress on the transition to parenthood. Interaction of sex indicates non-significant sex differences for regressions. Findings suggest satisfaction with marriage, family life, and social support can lessen parental strain after the transition to parenthood