August 7, 2001
200 expectant couples sought for Baby Makes Three study, free workshop on improving marital satisfaction
If marriage counselors made predictions like weather forecasters they might describe the impact of a new baby on a marriage this way: The arrival of a little bundle of sunshine to be followed by stormy weather and frequent declining marital satisfaction.
Researchers have known for some time about the dip in marital satisfaction that affects most couples when they become parents. That’s why University of Washington researchers are looking for 200 expectant couples through December in the Puget Sound area to test a workshop and support group program designed to promote healthy marital and family relationships.
The study, which will be conducted under the direction of UW marital researcher John Gottman, will extend for three years. The study is being done in conjunction with Swedish Hospital Medical Center. Couples selected to participate in the study will receive a free weekend workshop and can earn up to $445 for their participation.
The workshop is designed to promote the health of couples’ 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 before the birth of their child or at the end of the study. Some couple will be randomly chosen to participate in support groups. The study will consist of a pre-birth interview and laboratory session during the third trimester of pregnancy. During the home visit, 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 five follow-up visits with the family when each couple’s baby is about 3 months, 1, 2 and 2 ? and 3 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 UW researchers will be interviewing prospective couples for the study through at least December.
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) 616-5501, 543-4195 or at alysonfs@u.washington.edu.
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For more information, contact Shapiro at (206) 543-4195 or alysonfs@u.washington.edu
