Developing a Prenatal Couple Education Program Focusing on Coparenting for Japanese Couples: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Abstract

Having and raising children can be a source of joy for parents. However, the transition to parenthood is associated with a certain degree of strain and stress, and couple relationship quality often declines during the transition. Coparenting, the shared responsibility of childrearing, benefits both parents and children and is an important aspect of the transition to parenthood. In this quasi-experimental study, we aimed to develop a couple education program in Japan that focuses on coparenting among couples expecting their first child. Twenty-one healthy couples voluntarily participated in the intervention group (n = 16) or the control group (n = 5). Couples in each group could voluntarily participate in standard childbirth education classes. The intervention was a couple education program designed to enhance coparenting and consisted of two interactive classes, including discussions within each couple and watching a short video showing an example of childrearing. We collected outcome measures on childrearing, couple relationship, parental mental health, and child adjustment at 1 month and 3 months after childbirth. Multiple regression analysis was performed and showed positive effects of the intervention on childrearing and child adjustment. Being in the intervention group had a significant positive effect on Coparenting Support scores at 1 month after childbirth (β = 0.457, p < 0.003, R 2 = 0.187) and Soothability scores for child adjustment at 3 months after childbirth (β =0.429, p < 0.006, R 2 = 0.157). In conclusion, we have developed the prenatal education program focusing on coparenting for Japanese couples.

Associations between Coparenting Relationships and Maternal Depressive Symptoms and Negative Bonding to Infant

“…This study was a secondary analysis of data collected in a quasi-experimental study conducted in Japan between July 2016 and May 2017 [16]. During pregnancy, the quasiexperimental study provided mothers with an educational program; 17 mothers received the education program as the intervention group, while the other seven were part of the control group.…”

“…During pregnancy, the quasiexperimental study provided mothers with an educational program; 17 mothers received the education program as the intervention group, while the other seven were part of the control group. No significant differences regarding demographics were found between the groups [16], so the data of all 24 mothers were combined and then analyzed in the current study.…”

Coparenting Intervention for Expectant Parents Affects Relationship Quality: A Pilot Study

“…The prenatal couple education programme focusing on Japanese couples done by Takeishi et al (2019) and our coparenting intervention were both based on the Family Foundations programme of Feinberg (2002). In both cases the programme was adapted to meet the needs of the respective culture.…”

“…In both cases the programme was adapted to meet the needs of the respective culture. Takeishi et al (2019) described Japanese people as being shy or embarrassed about sharing their opinions. This is different to Austrian couples sharing their experiences in groups as there were lively discussions in our intervention groups of up to 6 couples.…”

“…A few universal preventive intervention programmes with evaluation components that ease the transition to parenthood and improve coparenting have already been implemented in Anglo-American and Asian regions (Shapiro and Gottman 2005;Fagan 2008;Feinberg and Kan 2008;Doss et al 2014;Jones et al 2018;Takeishi et al 2019). Such intervention programmes enhance couples' coparenting skills, promote harmonious relationships, and reduce the overall level of stress and conflict during the family formation period.…”