Trajectories of relationship quality and conflict in low‐income parents receiving home visitation services

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine changes in relationship quality and couple conflict in low-income parents. Background: When welcoming a new child, couples often report increased conflict and a decline in relationship quality. However, some scholars maintain couples can transition to parenthood with few negative effects. Low-income, unmarried, and experienced parents remain understudied. Method: Utilizing data from a broader parent education project, the study employed dyadic latent growth curve analysis to examine changes over time in relationship quality and conflict. Participants were 216 low-income couples receiving home visitation services who reported on relationship quality and conflict at three time points. Differences between first-time and multiparous parents and among married, cohabiting, and non-residential opposite-sex couples were examined. Results: Trajectories of relationship quality and conflict were stable over time. Compared to married and cohabiting couples, non-residential couples reported lower initial relationship quality. When comparing cohabiting and non-residential couples, couples with higher expectations of marriage had higher initial relationship quality and lower initial conflict. Conclusion: Some couples navigate the transition to parenthood without negative relationship effects, especially those with higher initial quality, lower initial conflict, and greater expectations of marriage. Implications Policy and practice supporting relationship stability in low-income couples should incorporate a strengths-based approach.

Predictors of change in relationship satisfaction among Black postpartum mothers

“…Moreover, this research on perceived commitment has focused primarily on White couples who are married or cohabiting. Research on structural commitment among primarily White samples has revealed that cohabiting parents declined in functioning relative to married parents (Kamp Dush et al., 2014) and mothers with non‐residential partners began lower in relationship quality and decreased over time relative to married mothers (Renegar et al., 2023), suggesting some potential benefits from greater structural commitment. In the present study, married mothers and cohabiting mothers did not differ in their initial levels of, or changes, in relationship satisfaction over time, but both had significantly higher initial satisfaction levels than mothers who were not cohabiting with their romantic partner.…”

“…Furthermore, some research has indicated that structural relationship characteristics such as cohabitation and the duration of the relationship at the time of the baby's birth are related to relationship functioning. Previous research has often compared married and unmarried cohabiting parents (e.g., Kamp Dush et al., 2014; O'Reilly Treter et al., 2021), but has rarely included comparisons with parents who are romantically involved but not cohabiting or married (for an exception, see Renegar et al., 2023). This issue may be particularly important to consider among Black mothers given that 70% of Black women giving birth are not married (Osterman et al., 2023) and many unmarried parents in relationships are not living with their partner at the time of their child's birth (e.g., 35% in Carlson et al., 2004).…”

Coparenting, Couple Conflict, Social Support, and Relationship Quality: A Dyadic Exploration of Couples From LIEM Backgrounds

“…This may be especially true when they are also facing enduring vulnerabilities (Neff & Karney, 2007) such as economic marginalization (Moore & Henderson, 2018). At the same time, some couples adapt to changes—such as the birth of a child—with relatively few changes in relationship functioning (Kanter & Proulx, 2019; Leonhardt et al, 2021; Renegar et al, 2022). Given that current relationship quality predicts future relationship functioning and relationship stability, especially for couples from LIEM backgrounds (McClain & Brown, 2017), it is important to explore how correlates (e.g., couple conflict and coparenting alliance) and resources (e.g., emotional support, and instrumental support) are associated with relationship quality in these populations.…”

“…Couples often experience negative changes in the couple relationship during times of transition, such as the transition to parenthood. Specifically, researchers suggest an increase in conflict and decrease in relationship quality are common (Belsky & Pensky, 1988; Kluwer, 2010), although these changes are not experienced by all couples (see Kanter & Proulx, 2019; Leonhardt et al, 2021; Renegar, Stolz, Baumgardner, Riemnitz, & McCaig, 2022).…”