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Parenthood and Marital Satisfaction: A Meta Analytic Review

Parenthood and Marital Satisfaction: A Meta Analytic Review. Authors: J.M. Twenge, W. Campbell, & C. Foster Presented by: Chris Farnum. Parenthood and Satisfaction Purpose. To determine the extent of the effects of parenthood on marital satisfaction.

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Parenthood and Marital Satisfaction: A Meta Analytic Review

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  1. Parenthood and Marital Satisfaction: A Meta Analytic Review Authors: J.M. Twenge, W. Campbell, & C. Foster Presented by: Chris Farnum

  2. Parenthood and SatisfactionPurpose • To determine the extent of the effects of parenthood on marital satisfaction. • Exactly how large is the effect of parenthood? • What variables determine the effect of children on satisfaction? • Address theoretical models

  3. Parenthood and SatisfactionImplications • Informed decisions • Counseling • Counteract effects

  4. Parenthood and SatisfactionIssues to Consider • Measuring satisfaction is subjective. Tests used were Locke-Wallace, Global Distress, and Dyadic Adjustment Scale • Stressors present in marriage prior to having children • Differences in male/female definitions of marital satisfaction

  5. Parenthood and SatisfactionModerator Variables • Gender of the parents • Age of children • Socioeconomic status of parents • Birth Cohort • Measure of marital satisfaction used

  6. Parenthood and SatisfactionTheoretical Models • Addressing different explanations of children’s influence on marital satisfaction • Identified four key theories from research • Different outcomes men and women

  7. Theoretical ModelsRole Conflict Model • This theory states that adding children can lead to a reorganization of roles and this causes stress. • Women • Problems • Predictions for moderator variables

  8. Theoretical ModelsRestriction of Freedom • Children greatly diminish the freedom of individuals in a marriage • Women • Moderator variables and predictions

  9. Theoretical ModelsSexual Dissatisfaction Model • Children often interfere with parents’ sex lives. • Differences in male and female interpretations • Moderator variables

  10. Theoretical ModelsFinancial Cost Model • Children are expensive. • Moderator variables and predictions

  11. Parenthood and SatisfactionLiterature Review • 1974-2000 • PsychLit and Sociofile journal articles • Reference sections of journal articles • Dissertation abstracts • Total of 97 articles with 148 data points • 47,692 total respondents • Keywords: children and marital satisfaction

  12. Parenthood and SatisfactionLiterature Review • Examined two types of studies: • Comparison of satisfaction between married couples with and without children • Examination of correlation between satisfaction and number of children • Criteria for Inclusion: • Must have sample with parents and non-parents • Must report statistics that can be used to calculate an effect size (d)

  13. Parenthood and SatisfactionCalculation Standards • Corrected for bias in “d” with two techniques • Positive effect sizes • Negative effect sizes

  14. Parenthood and SatisfactionAnalyses • Weighted effect sizes • Computed effect sizes and heterogeneity statistic • Analyzed overall and for specific moderators • ANOVA

  15. Results of Meta AnalysisComparing Parents to Non-Parents • Parents had significantly lower marital satisfaction than non-parents (d = -.19) • Stronger negative effect on women (-.19 vs. -.13) • Age moderator • Infant = -.38 • Older child = -.20 • Gender by age moderator- bigger difference for women • Women = with infant (-.50) vs. w/older (-.14) • Men = with infant (-.25) vs. w/older (-.30) • SES moderator • High (-.45) vs. Low (+.05) • Historical and birth cohort effects (d = -.42)

  16. Results of the Meta AnalysisComparing Parents to Non-Parents • Theoretical Models • Role Conflict ** • Restriction of Freedom** • Sexual Dissatisfaction • Financial Cost

  17. Results of the Meta AnalysisCorrelation Between Satisfaction and Number of Children • Results indicate the more children in the family, the lower the parents’ marital satisfaction (d = -.13) • Gender, age, and birth cohort- no significance • SES • Stronger effect sizes for high (d = -.26) and low SES (d = -.28) • Weaker effect size for middle SES (d = -.08) • Correlation between the effect size and the year of data collection (d = -.31, p<.01) • Theoretical Models- no support

  18. Variablek d

  19. Results of the Meta AnalysisSummary of Moderator Variables • The transition to parenthood • Gender • Socioeconomic status • Birth Cohort • Measurement

  20. Parenthood and SatisfactionStrengths and Limitations • Strengths • Large body of research • Limitations • Not enough data to compare parents with one child vs. parents with two vs. parents with three • Primarily correlational studies

  21. Parenthood and SatisfactionConclusions • This information can help couples set expectations or make structural changes. • Drop in satisfaction can be offset by other gains • Caution

  22. Parenthood and SatisfactionPersonal Observations • Implications for counseling? • Child preparation classes

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