Dyadic Adjustment During the Transition to Parenthood: A Look at Perceived Similarity of Spouses’ Family-of-origin Experiences

SynopsisThis article describes a study of the relationship between similarity in the family-of-origin experiences of spouses and their marital adjustment during the transition to parenthood with a first child. Data collected during the third trimester of pregnancy and 5–6 months following delivery indicated that similarity in spouses’ family-of-origin experiences is a significant variable affecting marital adjustment during the anticipated and subsequent birth of their first child. Data suggested this relationship was more pronounced in comparisons between extreme groups for husbands and wives at the two data collection periods. Implications for therapy and research are discussed.