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First child's impact on parental relationship: an existential perspective
Christina Prinds1,2, Ole Mogensen3, Niels Christian Hvidt4
1Department of Clinical Institute, University of Southern Denmark, Kløvervænget 10, 5000, Odense C, Denmark. cprinds@health.sdu.dk.
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
|May 12, 2018
Summary
Becoming a mother profoundly reshapes the partner relationship, influencing existential meaning-making and strengthening couple bonds. This transition highlights the importance of addressing existential concerns within partnerships for maternal and child well-being.
Area of Science:
- Psychology of parenthood
- Sociology of family
- Maternal mental health
Background:
- First-time motherhood is a significant life event impacting maternal values and life orientations.
- Limited understanding exists on how motherhood influences the existential dimensions of the parental relationship.
- This study explores changes in the partner relationship from the mother's perspective, focusing on existential meaning-making.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of becoming a mother on the parental relationship.
- To specifically examine changes in existential meaning-making within the couple's dynamic.
- To understand the mother's perspective on these relational and existential shifts.
Main Methods:
- A 2011 questionnaire study of 499 Danish first-time mothers.
- Included mothers of preterm (n=127) and full-term (n=372) infants.
- Five core items assessed changes in partner relationship: life change conversations, stronger ties, connection to something bigger, conflicts, and dreams.
Main Results:
- Most mothers reported stronger ties with their partner post-childbirth and engaged in conversations about their changed life as a couple.
- While some experienced increased conflict, the majority did not report more conflicts than before birth.
- Over half felt their relationship connected them to 'something bigger' or experienced family-related dreams.
Conclusions:
- The transition to motherhood significantly transforms the partnership, affecting existential meaning-making.
- Addressing existential concerns within the partner relationship is crucial for the health of mother, partner, and child.
- Findings underscore the importance of clinical and scientific attention to existential dimensions in evolving partnerships.
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