Effects of clarification of support expectations in prenatal couples

The purpose of this study was to test a theoretical model of confirmation of expectations for mutual support after childbirth and to evaluate an intervention given in prenatal classes during which prospective parents clarified their expectations. Results provided support for the proposed model in that parents with greater confirmation of expectations were found to have more positive relationship satisfaction, emotional affect, and parenting attitudes. Differences in men and women emerged that demonstrated that confirmation of support expectations was more important to women, while the level of support actually received was more important to men. The prenatal class intervention did not significantly affect parent outcomes.