Social support and relationship change after childbirth: an expectancy model

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Family Studies

Background:

• While social support is widely studied, the dynamics of relationship continuity and discontinuity remain underexplored.
• Major life events, such as childbirth, create heightened support needs, potentially testing existing relationship expectations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess a model proposing that changes in relationship quality are linked to the confirmation or disconfirmation of social support expectations.
• To investigate the impact of disconfirmed expectations on relationship satisfaction following childbirth.

Main Methods:

• A preliminary study involving 43 mothers interviewed at one and thirteen months postpartum.
• Qualitative assessment of perceived social support expectations and their confirmation or disconfirmation.
• Correlation analysis between perceived expectation disconfirmation and changes in relationship satisfaction.

Main Results:

• Mothers' perceived disconfirmation of social support expectations was strongly associated with changes in relationship satisfaction.
• The findings support the proposed model of relationship processes, particularly in the context of postpartum adjustment.

Conclusions:

• Relationship satisfaction is significantly influenced by whether social support expectations are met or unmet after major life events.
• Understanding individual expectancies is crucial for comprehending the effects of social support on relationship quality and continuity.