Dyadic Relationship and Coparenting Quality During the Transition to Parenthood for Couples With Childhood Maltreatment History

Becoming a parent is one of life's most significant transitions and can be a challenging period for many couples. One factor that may increase the difficulty couples experience in adjusting to parenthood is having a history of childhood maltreatment. This study explored whether a history of childhood maltreatment in either partner is associated with couples' relationship functioning as they adjust to parenthood. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the association of childhood maltreatment history with relationship and coparenting quality in both partners of 398 heterosexual couples in the United States having their first child. Relationship quality was assessed during pregnancy, and both relationship quality and coparenting quality were assessed twice during the postpartum period at 10-12 months and 2 years after birth. Father's history of childhood maltreatment was negatively associated with mother's reports of relationship quality at both time points after birth (p < 0.05), and father's maltreatment history was negatively associated with mother's reports of coparenting quality 2 years after birth (p = 0.01). Follow-up analyses accounting for the interaction of both partners' maltreatment history revealed that a combination of maltreatment in both partners was associated with poorer relationship quality reported by mothers during pregnancy and 10-12 months after birth and with poorer coparenting quality ratings by mothers 2 years after birth (p < 0.05). Results suggest that a history of maltreatment in both parents can have negative impacts on relationship and coparenting quality during the transition to parenthood, with mothers appearing more sensitive to such effects than fathers. These findings highlight the importance of assessing both parents' histories of childhood maltreatment in postpartum clinical care to better identify families at risk and tailor supports that strengthen relationship and coparenting quality.