Romantic attachment, parenthood and marital satisfaction

Abstract

The current study examined associations between attachment styles and couple relationships after transition to parenthood. The sample comprised 251 individuals, 128 mothers and 123 fathers, recruited through child health care centres in the south of Sweden. Attachment was measured using the Relationship Questionnaire and couple relationships with the Dyadic Adjustment Scale. The results showed that when first‐ and second‐time mothers reported high scores on fearful attachment, and second time mothers and fathers on dismissing attachment, they were less happy in their couple relationships. Attachment styles significantly predicted dissatisfaction in couple relationships for the second but not for the first time parents.