364
Views
3
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Articles

Unmet and Exceeded Expectations for Sexual Concerns across the Transition to Parenthood

ORCID Icon, ORCID Icon, ORCID Icon, & ORCID Icon

References

  • Ahlborg, T., Dahlöf, L. G., & Hallberg, L. R. M. (2005). Quality of the intimate and sexual relationship in first-time parents six months after delivery. Journal of Sex Research, 42(2), 167–174. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224490509552270
  • Allsop, D. B. (2022). Change in 21 sexual concerns of new parents from three to twelve months postpartum: Similarities and differences between mothers and partners. The Journal of Sexual Medicine. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2022.06.004
  • Arriaga, X. B. (2013). An interdependence theory analysis of close relationships. In J. A. Simpson & L. Campbell (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of close relationships (pp. 39–65). Oxford University Press.
  • Barrett, G., Pendry, E., Peacock, J., Victor, C., Thakar, R., & Manyonda, I. (2000). Women’s sexual health after childbirth. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 107(2), 186–195. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2000.tb11689.x
  • Biehle, S. N., & Michelson, K. D. (2012). First-time parents’ expectations about the division of childcare and play. Journal of Family Psychology, 26(1), 36–45. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0026608
  • Birnbaum, G. E., Reis, H. T., Mikulincer, M., Gillath, O., & Orpaz, A. (2006). When sex is more than just sex: Attachment orientations, sexual experience, and relationship quality. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 91(5), 929–943. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.91.5.929
  • Busby, D. M., Christensen, C., Crane, D. R., & Larson, J. H. (1995). A revision of the Dyadic Adjustment Scale for use with distressed and nondistressed couples: Construct hierarchy and multidimensional scales. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 21(3), 289–308. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-0606.1995.tb00163.x
  • Byers, E. S., & MacNeil, S. (2006). Further validation of the interpersonal exchange model of sexual satisfaction. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 32(1), 53–69. https://doi.org/10.1080/00926230500232917
  • Castro-Schilo, L., & Grimm, K. J. (2018). Using residualized change versus difference scores for longitudinal research. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 35(1), 32–58. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407517718387
  • Christopher, C., Umemura, T., Mann, T., Jacobvitz, D., & Hazen, N. (2015). Marital quality over the transition to parenthood as a predictor of coparenting. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 24(12), 3636–3651. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-015-0172-0
  • Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. Routledge Academic.
  • Cronbach, L. J., & Furby, L. (1970). How should we measure “change”—Or should we? Psychological Bulletin, 74(1), 68–80. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0029382
  • Darling, E. V., Byatt, N., Maher, E. L., Gray, T. D., Moore Simas, T. A., & Cordova, J. V. (2021). The before baby relationship checkup: A couples-based intervention to reduce relationship risk factors for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-021-09819-8
  • Dawson, S. J., Leonhardt, N. D., Impett, E. A., & Rosen, N. O. (2021). Associations between postpartum depressive symptoms and couples’ sexual function and sexual distress trajectories across the transition to parenthood. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 55(9), 879–891. https://doi.org/10.1093/abm/kaaa117
  • Dawson, S. J., Strickland, N. J., & Rosen, N. O. (2022). Longitudinal associations between depressive symptoms and postpartum sexual concerns among first-time parent couples. Journal of Sex Research, 59(2), 150–159. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2020.1836114
  • Derogatis, L. R., Rosen, R. C., Leiblum, S. R., Burnett, A., & Heiman, J. R. (2002). The Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS): Initial validation of a standardized scale for assessment of sexually related distress in women. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 28(4), 317–330. https://doi.org/10.1080/00926230290001448
  • Diamond, L. M., & Huebner, D. M. (2012). Is good sex good for you? Rethinking sexuality and health. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 6(1), 54–69. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-9004.2011.00408.x
  • Doss, B. D., & Rhoades, G. K. (2017). The transition to parenthood: Impact on couples’ romantic relationships. Current Opinion in Psychology, 13, 25–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2016.04.003
  • Doss, B. D., Rhoades, G. K., Stanley, S. M., & Markman, J. J. (2009). The effect of the transition to parenthood on relationship quality: An 8-year prospective study. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 96(3), 601–619. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0013969
  • Eastwick, P. W., Finkel, E. J., & Simpson, J. A. (2019). The relationship trajectories framework: Elaboration and expansion. Psychological Inquiry, 30(1), 48–57. https://doi.org/10.1080/1047840X.2019.1585740
  • Enders, C. (2011). Analyzing longitudinal data with missing values. Rehabilitation Psychology, 56(4), 267–288. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0025579
  • Figueiredo, B., Field, T., Diego, M., Hernandez-Reif, M., Deeds, O., & Ascencio, A. (2008). Partner relationships during the transition to parenthood. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 26(2), 99–107. https://doi.org/10.1080/02646830701873057
  • Fitzpatrick, E. T., Kolbuszewska, M. T., & Dawson, S. J. (2021). Perinatal sexual dysfunction: The importance of the interpersonal context. Current Sexual Health Reports, 13(3), 55–65. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-021-00313-8
  • Fletcher, G. J. O., Simpson, J. A., & Thomas, G. (2000). The measurement of perceived relationship quality components: A confirmatory factor analytic approach. Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin, 26(3), 340–354. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167200265007
  • Flykt, M., Lindblom, J., Punamäki, R. L., Poikkeus, P., Repokari, L., Unkila-Kallio, L., Vilska, S., Sinkkonen, J., Tiitinen, A., Almqvist, F., & Tulppala, M. (2009). Prenatal expectations in transition to parenthood: Former infertility and family dynamic considerations. Journal of Family Psychology, 23(6), 779–789. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0016468
  • Flykt, M., Palosaari, E., Lindblom, J., Vänskä, M., Poikkeus, P., Repokari, L., Tiitinen, A., Tulppala, M., & Punamäki, R. L. (2014). What explains violated expectations of parent–child relationship in transition to parenthood? Journal of Family Psychology, 28(2), 148–159. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0036050
  • Goldberg, J. S., & Carlson, M. J. (2014). Parents’ relationship quality and children’s behavior in stable married and cohabiting families. Journal of Marriage and Family, 76(4), 762–777. https://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12120
  • Gollwitzer, M., Christ, O., & Lemmer, G. (2014). Individual differences make a difference: On the use and the psychometric properties of difference scores in social psychology. European Journal of Social Psychology, 44(7), 673–682. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.2042
  • Gottman, J. M., Swanson, C., & Swanson, K. (2002). A general systems theory of marriage: Nonlinear difference equation modeling of marital interaction. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 6(4), 326–340. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327957PSPR0604_07
  • Gross, C. L., & Marcussen, K. (2017). Postpartum depression in mothers and fathers: The role of parenting efficacy expectations during the transition to parenthood. Sex Roles, 76(5–6), 290–305. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-016-0629-7
  • Harwood, K., McLean, N., & Durkin, K. (2007). First-time mothers’ expectations of parenthood: What happens when optimistic expectations are not matched by later experiences? Developmental Psychology, 43(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.43.1.1
  • Holmes, J. G., & Rempel, J. K. (1989). Trust in close relationships. In C. Hendrick (Ed.), Review of personality and social psychology: Close relationships (Vol. 10, pp. 187–219). Sage.
  • Jawed-Wessel, S., & Sevick, E. (2017). The impact of pregnancy and childbirth on sexual behaviors: A systematic review. Journal of Sex Research, 54(4–5), 411–423. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2016.1274715
  • Joel, S., Eastwick, P. W., Allison, C. J., Arriaga, X. B., Baker, Z. G., Bar-Kalifa, E., Bergeron, S., Birnbaum, G. E., Brock, R. L., Brumbaugh, C. C., Carmichael, C. L., Chen, S., Clarke, J., Cobb, R. J., Coolsen, M. K., Davis, J., de Jong, P. J., Debrot, A., & DeHaas, E. C., … , & Wolf, S. (2020). Machine learning uncovers the most robust self-report predictors of relationship quality across 43 longitudinal couples studies. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 117(32), 19061–19071. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1917036117
  • Johnson, M. D., Galambos, N. L., & Krahn, H. J. (2021). Family context, life transitions, and subjective well-being from age 18 to 50 years. Developmental Psychology, 57(11), 1968–1980. https://doi.org/10.1037/dev0001243
  • Kelley, H. H., & Thibaut, J. W. (1978). Interpersonal relations: A theory of interdependence. Wiley.
  • Kenny, D. A., Kashy, D. A., & Cook, W. L. (2006). Dyadic data analysis. Guilford Press.
  • Kim, J. J., Muise, A., Sakaluk, J. K., Rosen, N. O., & Impett, E. A. (2020). When tonight is not the night: Sexual rejection behaviors and satisfaction in romantic relationships. Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin, 46(10), 1476–1490. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167220907469
  • Kirsch, I. E. (1999). How expectancies shape experience. American Psychological Association.
  • Kline, R. (2016). Principles and practice of structural equation modeling (4th ed.). Guilford Press.
  • Kluwer, E. S., & Johnson, M. D. (2007). Conflict frequency and relationship quality across the transition to parenthood. Journal of Marriage and Family, 69(5), 1089–1106. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2007.00434.x
  • Lawrance, K., & Byers, E. S. (1995). Sexual satisfaction in long-term heterosexual relationships: The interpersonal exchange model of sexual satisfaction. Personal Relationships, 2(4), 267–285. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6811.1995.tb00092.x
  • Lawrence, E., Nylen, K., & Cobb, R. J. (2007). Prenatal expectations and marital satisfaction over the transition to parenthood. Journal of Family Psychology, 21(2), 155–164. https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-3200.21.2.155
  • Little, T. D. (2013). Longitudinal structural equation modeling. Guilford Press.
  • Lorber, M. F., Erlanger, A. C. E., Heyman, R. E., & O’Leary, K. D. (2015). The honeymoon effect: Does it exist and can it be predicted? Prevention Science, 16(4), 550–559. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-014-0480-4
  • McArdle, J. J., & Epstein, D. (1987). Latent growth curves within developmental structural equation models. Child Development, 58(1), 110–133. https://doi.org/10.2307/1130295
  • McNulty, J. K., & Fisher, T. D. (2008). Gender differences in response to sexual expectancies and changes in sexual frequency: A short-term longitudinal study of sexual satisfaction in newly married couples. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 37(2), 229–240. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-007-9176-1
  • McNulty, J. K., Wenner, C. A., & Fisher, T. D. (2015). Longitudinal associations among relationship satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, and frequency of sex in early marriage. Archives of Sexual Behavior. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-014-0444-6
  • Miller, D. T., & Turnbull, W. (1986). Expectancies and interpersonal processes. Annual Review of Psychology, 37(1), 233–256. doi:10.1146/annurev.ps.37.020186.001313
  • Mitnick, D. M., Heyman, R. E., Slep, A. M. A., Giresi, J., & Shanley, J. E. (2022). Impact of expectation violation on relationship satisfaction across the transition to parenthood. Journal of Family Psychology, 36(2), 236–245. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000870
  • Muise, A., Kim, J. J., Impett, E. A., & Rosen, N. O. (2017). Understanding when a partner is not in the mood: Sexual communal motivation in couples transitioning to parenthood. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 46(7), 1993–2006. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-016-0920-2
  • Murray, S. L., Lamarche, V. M., Gomillion, S., Seery, M. D., & Kondrak, C. (2017). In defense of commitment: The curative power of violated expectations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 113(5), 697–729. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000102
  • Muthén, L. K., & Muthén, B. O. (1998–2017). Mplus user’s guide (8th ed.).
  • Pastore, L., Owens, A., & Raymond, C. (2007). Postpartum sexual concerns among first-time parents from one U.S. academic hospital. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 4(1), 115–123. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2006.00379.x
  • Pauleta, J. R., Pereira, N. M., & Graça, L. M. (2010). Sexuality during pregnancy. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 7(1), 136–142. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01538.x
  • Pinquart, M., & Teubert, D. (2010). A meta-analytic study of couple interventions during the transition to parenthood. Family Relations, 59(3), 221–231. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3729.2010.00597.x
  • Rosen, N. O., Dawson, S. J., Leonhardt, D. N., Vannier, S. A., & Impett, E. A. (2020). Trajectories of sexual well-being among couples in the transition to parenthood. Journal of Family Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000689
  • Roy, R. N., Schumm, W. R., & Britt, S. (2014). Expectations. In Transition to parenthood (pp. 111–122). Springer.
  • Rusbalt, C. E., & Arriaga, X. B. (1997). Interdependence theory. In S. Duck & S. Duck (Eds.), Handbook of personal relationships: Theory, research and interventions (2nd ed., pp. 221–250). John Wiley & Sons.
  • Santos-Iglesias, P., Mohamed, B., Danko, A., & Walker, L. M. (2018). Psychometric validation of the Female Sexual Distress Scale in male samples. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 47(6), 1733–1743. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-018-1146-2
  • Schlagintweit, H., Bailey, K., & Rosen, N. O. (2016). A new baby in the bedroom: Frequency and severity of postpartum sexual concerns and their associations with relationship satisfaction in new parent couples. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 13(10), 1455–1465. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2016.08.006
  • Theiss, J. A., & Estlein, R. (2014). Antecedents and consequences of the perceived threat of sexual communication: A test of the relational turbulence model. Western Journal of Communication, 78(4), 404–425. https://doi.org/10.1080/10570314.2013.845794
  • Tutelman, P. R., Dawson, S. J., Schwenck, G. C., & Rosen, N. O. (2021). A longitudinal examination of common dyadic coping and sexual distress in new parent couples during the transition to parenthood. Family Process. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12661
  • Wang, J., & Wang, X. (2019). Structural equation modeling: Applications using Mplus (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.