Chinese family adaptation during the postpartum period and its influencing factors: A questionnaire survey

Aim: this study aimed to explore new parents' views and experiences during their transition to parenthood. Background: in China the one-child birth policy may bring more stress and challenges for the new parents due to the lack of experience and greater expectations of their new role. China is also at a stage of rapid economic and social development which creates new conditions for parenthood. Methods: a cross-sectional survey was conducted from February to September 2009 among 232 mothers and fathers, yielding a 83.6% response rate (n=194 couples). The questionnaire included: the Family Assessment Device-General Function Scale, the Family Resources Scale, the Family Adaptation Scale, and the Chinese Perceived Stress Scale. Results: there were no significant differences between mothers' adaptation and fathers' adaptation during the postpartum period, as well as their perceived stress, family function and family resources (p > 0.05). Method of childbirth was not related to adaptation. About 29% of variance in mothers' adaptation could be explained by satisfaction with the infant's gender (B=0.295, p <0.001), fathers' adaptation (B=0.236, p <0.001), and family resources (B=0.179, p=0.016). About 42% of variance in fathers' adaptation could be explained by mothers' adaptation (B=0.268, p <0.001), satisfaction with marriage (B=0.248, p=0.002), satisfaction with the infant's gender (B=0.209, p <0.007), and family resources (B=0.206, p=0.002). Conclusion: this study highlights the importance of family resources to family adaptation and antenatal and postnatal education programmes as part of family-centred care. The possible influences of culture and polices need to be considered by health-care professionals developing strategies to facilitate family adaptation to the early parenthood. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved