The Work-Family Interface and Marital Change Across the Transition to Parenthood

Abstract

This article examines the effects of work-family interference and support on couples experiencing the transition to parenthood. Correlational relationships between measures of work-family interference and support and assessments of marital change (based on measures taken prenatally and at three- and nine-months postpartum) were examined. The findings suggest that husbands and wives experiencing high levels of work-family interference report an increase in marital conflict across the first two measurement occasions. In addition, husbands also report increased marital satisfaction when work-family support is high. Difference scores reflecting marital change from three to nine months indicate a decrease in wives' satisfaction with communication and positive feelings in the relationship as a result of high work-family stress. These findings suggest that the work-family relationship, as one determinant affecting the transition to parenthood, deserves further study.