Effects of Expected and Percieved Division of Childcare and Household Labor on Mother's Relationship Satisfaction During Their Transition to Parenthood

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of expected and perceived division of childcare and household labor on mothers’ relationship satisfaction during their transition to parenthood. Mothers were administered a questionnaire during their third trimester of pregnancy and received a follow-up phone interview three months postpartum. During the second wave of data collection, all mothers in this study were at home with their child. Findings indicated that mothers with lower prenatal expectations about postnatal division of labor had greater relationship satisfaction three months postpartum. Additionally, mothers also had greater relationship satisfaction at three months postpartum when they reported receiving more help with childcare from their partner than they had expected during their pregnancy.