Högskolan i Skövde

Objective: The couple’s relationship is affected by the transition to parenthood, but research findings are mixed,with some studies showing positive effects on the relationship and others indicating negative impacts. This studyaims to explore first-time mothers’ and their partners’ perceived quality of dyadic relationship (QDR36) duringpregnancy and the following eight years after childbirth as well as what factors that are associated with a higherQDR36.

Methods: A prospective longitudinal cohort study on 917 Swedish parents, with repeated questionnaires at:gestational week 25 (T1); first week after childbirth (T2); six months (T3); one year (T4); two years (T5); fouryears (T6), and eight years (T7) after childbirth. Non-parametric tests and Cohen’s effect size calculation wereconducted to analyze change over time in QDR36. Multiple linear regressions were carried out with index forQDR36 as dependent variable, at all time points (T1-T7).

Results: QDR36 varied over time among both first-time mothers and partners, showing an increase between T1and T2, followed by a decrease between each point in time. QDR36 was statistically lower at T7 compared to allother points in time (T1-T6). Variations were observed in the variables that were associated with a higher QDR36at different time points, however higher sense of coherence (SOC-13) and social support (MSPSS) were consis-tently associated.

Conclusion: First-time mothers and partners’ perceived quality of couple relationship declines the first eight yearsafter birth. To support them in their couple relationship, healthcare professionals should acknowledge parents’sense of coherence and social support.