Closeness with a partner and parental bond with a child during the transition to parenthood

Objective: The aim of this longitudinal study was to examine the dyadic interdependence of the relationships between partners' perception of closeness with one another and their pre- and postnatal bonds with a child.

Research design and participants: A total of 213 first-time expectant couples participated in the study both during pregnancy (1st stage) and after the child's birth (2nd stage).

Measurements: The participants completed the following measures: the one-item pictorial Inclusion of Other into the Self (IOS) scale and the brief maternal and paternal versions of the Antenatal Attachment Scales (MAAS/PAAS, respectively) and Postnatal Attachment Scales (MPAS/PPAS, respectively).

Findings: The Actor-Partner Interdependence Models (APIM) for distinguishable dyads were performed and revealed the positive effect of parents' perceptions of closeness with their partners regarding both their own and their partners' bond with their child during pregnancy. However, after the child's birth, for both mothers and fathers, only their own perception of closeness with their partners was associated with their bond with their child. Moreover, only the actor effects of bonding with a child during pregnancy as well as the change in perception of closeness with a partner on the partner's bond with their child after birth were found (no partner effect).

Key conclusions: Couple attributes during the transition to parenthood should be emphasized to promote the development of parental pre- and postnatal bonds.