October 15, 1999
50 expectant couples sought for study, free workshop on improving marital satisfaction after the baby arrives
Researchers have known for some time that marital satisfaction takes a nose dive for most couples when they become parents. University of Washington researchers are trying to do something about this decline and are looking for 50 expectant couples in the Seattle metropolitan area to test a workshop designed to promote healthy marital and family relationships.
The pilot study, which will be conducted under the direction of noted UW marital researcher John Gottman, will extend for three years. The study is being done in conjunction with the UW Medical Center and the Swedish Hospital Medical Center. All couples selected to participate in the study will receive a free weekend workshop and a custom, professionally edited videotape illustrating their child’s development.
The workshop is designed to promote the health of marital relationships during the stressful transition to parenthood, according to Alyson Shapiro, a UW psychology doctoral student who is coordinating the project. In addition, the workshop emphasizes helping new fathers to become involved parents and teaching expectant and new parents about infant development.
Couples who are selected to participate in the program will be randomly chosen to receive the workshop either around the time of the birth of their child or toward the end of the study. The study will consist of a pre-birth interview and laboratory session during the third trimester of pregnancy. During the lab session, couples will be asked to discuss their hopes, worries and expectations following the arrival of the baby and to talk about an area of on-going disagreement in their marriage. There also will be four follow-up interviews when a couple’s baby is about 3 months, 1, 2 and 2 ? years old.
To be eligible for the study, couples must complete the initial interview prior to the birth of their child. The study is open to all expectant couples, not just those who are about to be first-time parents.
The transition to parenthood is a particularly stressful time for couples, according to Shapiro, because they are suddenly faced with more time constraints and individuals have less time to spend with their partner. In addition, many issues that a couple may have ignored or not settled, such as what religion to raise the baby, need to be resolved.
Special attention in the workshop is being directed at fathers because men often find themselves withdrawing from the parent role and focusing on the provider role when a baby arrives. This isn’t healthy for the family, Shapiro said, and the workshop includes a component on preparing men for being involved in taking care of the child.
Couples interested in volunteering for the study or who want more information may contact Shapiro at (206) 543-4195 or at alysonfs@u.washington.edu.
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For more information, contact Shapiro at (206) 543-4195 or at alysonfs@u.washington.edu
