Dyadic approach to maturity to parenthood: multilevel study on attachment in expectant and non-expectant couples

ABSTRACT

Objective

This study examined links between attachment styles and maturity to parenthood and its dimensions across different age groups of childless young adult couples. The role of developmental factors (age, assuming parental role) for maturity to parenthood was also investigated.

Background

Relational and individual factors have both been confirmed to be crucial for the transition to parenthood. The concept of maturity to parenthood has been linked to individual values, personality traits, and close relationships. However, the question arises whether maturity to parenthood is related to one of the most crucial concepts in family psychology – attachment.

Method

Three hundred heterosexual young adult couples aged 20–35 years (M_age  = 26.20; SD  = 3.63) took part. Couples were divided into three groups: 1) 110 couples aged 20–25 (emerging adulthood); 2) 90 couples aged 26–35 (young adulthood); and 3) 100 couples aged 20–35 expecting their first child (third trimester of pregnancy). The main questionnaires used were the Maturity to Parenthood Scale and Close Relationship Experience Scale.

Results

The results indicated that the more avoidant couples had lower maturity to parenthood. A moderation effect of group (pregnancy) was also observed – the effect of attachment-related avoidance was weaker in expectant couples. Women presented higher overall and behavioural maturity to parenthood than men. Furthermore, higher life satisfaction were associated with greater maturity to parenthood.

Conclusion

Maturity to parenthood is also created in the dyadic context. When related to lower attachment avoidance, it might greatly facilitate transition to parenthood and future parent – child relations.

KEYWORDS:

• Pregnancy
• maturity to parenthood
• attachment
• couples
• young adulthood

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, [A.B.Ł-M.], upon reasonable request.

Informed consent statement

Informed consent was obtained from all subjects involved in the study.

Institutional review board statement

This study was conducted according to the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Ethics Board for Research Projects at the Institute of Psychology, University of Gdansk, Poland (decision no. 7/2018).

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2023.2230592

Additional information

Funding

The preparation of this paper was supported by the National Science Centre, Poland, 1Grant ID: 2016/22/E/HS6/00237