The development of a parental identity during the transition to parenthood: A psychological resource for first-time...

The transition to parenthood is a momentous life event that brings about significant changes and profound adjustments in individuals' lives. This period poses challenges for new parents and can increase their vulnerability to mental health problems. Although this transition is an identity-defining episode, surprisingly little research has focused on the development of parental identity during this crucial phase. To address this gap, the present study examined the development of parental identity among first-time mothers and fathers and its longitudinal associations with their own and their partners' psychological well-being. A four-wave longitudinal study was conducted, covering the period from pregnancy to 2 years into parenthood. A total of 288 mother-father couples participated, completing measurements on parental identity commitment, exploration, ruminative exploration, and mental health at each time point. Results showed that parents with high levels or stronger increases in parental identity commitment and with lower levels or stronger decreases in ruminative exploration reported higher levels and stronger increases in life satisfaction and lower levels and stronger decreases in depressive symptoms. The associations between parental identity exploration and mental health outcomes were less pronounced and more inconsistent. Additionally, the study revealed partner effects, indicating that one partner's mental health was also influenced by the other partner's parental identity, with notable differences between mothers and fathers. Overall, these findings underscore the importance of parental identity processes in the well-being of first-time parents. Targeting parental identity in prevention and intervention efforts could prove valuable in enhancing mental health of (future) parents during the transition to parenthood. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).