Daily Conflict and Relationship Satisfaction in Couples of New Parents: The Moderating Roles of Romantic Attachment and Intimacy.
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| Title: | Daily Conflict and Relationship Satisfaction in Couples of New Parents: The Moderating Roles of Romantic Attachment and Intimacy. |
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| Authors: | Lessard, Isabelle1 (AUTHOR) Isabelle.lessard@usherbrooke.ca, Brassard, Audrey1 (AUTHOR), Beaulieu, Noémie1 (AUTHOR), Gosselin, Patrick1 (AUTHOR), Brault‐Labbé, Anne1 (AUTHOR), Lafontaine, Marie‐France2 (AUTHOR), Péloquin, Katherine3 (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Journal of Marital & Family Therapy. Jul2025, Vol. 51 Issue 3, p1-11. 11p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Intimacy (Psychology), *Parents, *Cognitive dissonance, Marital satisfaction, Dyadic analysis (Social sciences), Parenthood, Multilevel models |
| Abstract: | During the transition to parenthood, parents face challenges, such as new roles, responsibilities, and less couple time. This often increases conflict, which may in turn reduce relationship satisfaction. Yet it remains unclear whether certain factors modulate these associations. In this dyadic daily diary study with 196 first‐time parent couples, we examined the moderating roles of romantic attachment (anxiety, avoidance) and intimacy in the links between conflict and relationship satisfaction for each partner. Participants completed online diaries for 14 days at 4‐month postpartum. Results from multilevel modeling following the actor‐partner interdependence model showed that greater conflict was associated with lower relationship satisfaction (daily and across 14 days) in both partners. They also suggest that mothers' higher attachment anxiety amplified the harmful effects of conflict on relationship satisfaction at the actor level, along with higher attachment anxiety and avoidance at the partner level, whereas intimacy protected against them. Clinical implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Journal of Marital & Family Therapy is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Education Research Complete |
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| Abstract: | During the transition to parenthood, parents face challenges, such as new roles, responsibilities, and less couple time. This often increases conflict, which may in turn reduce relationship satisfaction. Yet it remains unclear whether certain factors modulate these associations. In this dyadic daily diary study with 196 first‐time parent couples, we examined the moderating roles of romantic attachment (anxiety, avoidance) and intimacy in the links between conflict and relationship satisfaction for each partner. Participants completed online diaries for 14 days at 4‐month postpartum. Results from multilevel modeling following the actor‐partner interdependence model showed that greater conflict was associated with lower relationship satisfaction (daily and across 14 days) in both partners. They also suggest that mothers' higher attachment anxiety amplified the harmful effects of conflict on relationship satisfaction at the actor level, along with higher attachment anxiety and avoidance at the partner level, whereas intimacy protected against them. Clinical implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 0194472X |
| DOI: | 10.1111/jmft.70051 |
