Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice, Vol 15(1), Mar 2026, 32-45; doi:10.1037/cfp0000273
Prior research suggests that as many as seven out of 10 couples may experience a sharp decline in romantic satisfaction after having their first child. The present study examines three psychological factors that may be related to romantic satisfaction during the antepartum period: depressive symptoms, constructive communication, and psychological well-being. The present study utilizes baseline data from a pilot study of couples from varying socioeconomic status, cultural background, and sexual orientation expecting their first child (N = 66 expecting parents) who participated in a preventative program for first-time parents. The analyses revealed that constructive communication is significantly correlated with romantic satisfaction for both gestational and nongestational partners. These findings are important for clinicians working with expectant parents and may help inform the development of preventative interventions for the antepartum period. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)