Dyadic coping as a predictor of positive birth experiences for couples: an explanatory sequential mixed methods study

Partner accompaniment is standard in labour, yet couple interaction and dyadic coping during the high-stress intrapartum period remain underexplored.

To examine correlations between maternal and partner birth experiences and dyadic coping, and to identify specific interactions fostering positive maternal experiences.

An explanatory sequential mixed-methods study was conducted at a comprehensive hospital in Hangzhou, China. Initially, 268 couples post-vaginal birth completed the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire and Dyadic Coping Inventory. Data were analysed via K-means clustering and paired t-tests. Subsequently, 10 couples from "High-High" and "High-Low" clusters participated in joint in-depth interviews, which were analysed using thematic analysis.

Cluster analysis identified four couple profiles: High-High (32.09%), High-Low (17.90%), Low-High (24.63%), and Low-Low (25.37%). Partners reported significantly higher experience scores (88.98±15.77) than mothers (77.46±19.15, p < 0.001). A strong positive correlation existed between experiences, with common dyadic coping predicting positive experiences for both. Qualitative findings revealed that shared security, physiological synchrony, and joint preparation facilitated positive experiences. However, partners in the "High-Low" cluster often engaged in "self-sacrificing coping", suppressing personal distress during medical crises to ensure maternal safety.

Maternal and partner birth experiences are intrinsically linked. While effective dyadic coping enhances experiences, partners bear an unrecognised psychological burden during medical decision-making. Midwives should promote couple-centred preparation and targeted intrapartum support to mitigate this burden and foster positive family-centred outcomes.