Adaptation to parenthood: Differing expectations of social supports for mothers versus fathers

One hundred and twenty-three first-time parent-couples of five-month-old infants were studied to determine the relationship between dyadic adjustment and marital satisfaction and selected social supports. The identification of need for support, the utilization of support, and the satisfaction with those supports utilized for both child care and household tasks were examined. Mothers and fathers responded separately to Guerney'sRelationship Change Scale, Spanier'sDyadic Adjustment Scale, and to a demographic and social support inventory. One finding was that factors promoting satisfactory marital adjustment were different for new mothers and new fathers. In particular, social supports for child care and household tasks were related to a satisfying adjustment only in new mothers, following culturally stereotypic delineation of concerns.