Parental-couple well-being and relationship stability four years following childbirth: a mixed-methods study

Abstract Objective This study aimed to explore parents’ well-being and relationship stability during pregnancy and four years following childbirth. Background Becoming a parent is a life event that challenges the parental couple and influences their relationship and well-being. Methods This mixed-methods exploratory cohort study included 381 parents, followed longitudinally from pregnancy Week 25 to four years postpartum. Data were analysed using the logistic regression of survey data, Kaplan‒Meier estimates and qualitative content analysis. Survey instruments measured sense of coherence (a construct reflecting comprehensibility, manageability and meaningfulness), perceived social support and dyadic relationship quality, referring to the primary relationship between two cohabiting, unrelated adults. Results After four years, 94% of the parental couples remained in a stable relationship. Greater relationship stability was associated with higher levels of a sense of coherence, stronger perceived social support and higher dyadic relationship quality among both mothers and partners. By four years after childbirth (T6), almost six out of 10 parents (59%) reported that nothing negatively impacted their well-being, indicating a decrease in well-being among the remaining 41% of the parents. Parents experience multidimensional vulnerability in the parental-couple relationship, and their well-being was negatively affected by the unpredictability of everyday life. Conclusion Parents’ ability to maintain a sense of coherence, access and receive social support and maintain a high-quality couple relationship is associated with their relationship stability four years after childbirth.