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

Jay Belsky, Maureen Perry-Jenkins, Ann C. Crouter

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

34 Scopus citations

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)205-220
Number of pages16
JournalJournal of Family Issues
Volume6
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1985

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Social Sciences (miscellaneous)

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