Relationship between parenthood and partner’s satisfaction and relationship stability

Mihajlović, Ines . (2007). Relationship between parenthood and partner’s satisfaction and relationship stability. Diploma Thesis. Filozofski fakultet u Zagrebu, Department of Psychology. [mentor Tadinac, Meri].

PDF (Croatian) - Registered users only Download (189kB) | Request a copy

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate whether there were any effects of the number of children and their sex on partner’s satisfaction and relationship stability. The participants were Croatian couples living together for at least a year (married or cohabitating). Parents report lower relationship satisfaction compared with nonparents, but there is no significant difference between parents with different number of children. Nonparents have higher relationship satisfaction than partners, both men and women, who have two children. In addition, women who don’t have children have higher relationship satisfaction than women who have only one child. Couples with children do not differ from childless couples in propensity to end their relationship. Furthermore, the number of children doesn’t have any effect on the relationship stability. This data do not support a hypothesis that children's sex effects relationship satisfaction. However, we found that children's sex has some effect on relationship stability. Men who have both boys and girls have higher relationship stability than those with girls only. These results are discussed in terms of father’s involvement in childrearing.

Actions (login required)

View Item