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Fair enough? Decreased equity of dyadic coping across the transition to parenthood associated with depression of first-time parents.

ABSTRACT: The transition to parenthood (TTP) is a stressful life event for most couples. Therefore, the way both partners jointly cope with stress (i.e., dyadic coping) is important for the prevention of individual adjustment problems (e.g., depression). For dyadic coping to be effective in reducing depressive symptoms, efforts of both partners should be equal. However, many couples experience a decrease of equity in task division within the domestic sphere across the TTP. The current study investigates the equity of a specific skill within the 'relationship sphere', because similarly to a decreased equity in household and childcare, a decreased equity of dyadic coping is likely to be associated with poorer individual adjustment. We collected longitudinal self-report data on dyadic coping and depressive symptoms from 104 mixed-gender first-time parents (n = 208 individuals) from pregnancy until 40 weeks postpartum. We created an equity score for men and women that measured their perceived difference between received and provided dyadic coping. On average, women reported providing more and receiving less dyadic coping than men. While both genders agreed on this distribution, men did perceive a higher equity of dyadic coping than women. Furthermore, the decrease of equity perceived by women across TTP was not visible in men. In line with our assumptions based on the equity theory, perceived equity of dyadic coping was associated with depressive symptoms in a curvilinear manner: Decreases in women's perceived equity in either direction (over- or underbenefit) were associated with more depressive symptoms in women and their male partners. This association was found above and beyond the beneficial effect of dyadic coping itself. This implies that not only how well partners support each other in times of stress, but also how equal both partners' efforts are, is important for their individual adjustment across TTP.

SUBMITTER: Meier F

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7029854 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Fair enough? Decreased equity of dyadic coping across the transition to parenthood associated with depression of first-time parents.

Meier Fabienne F Milek Anne A Rauch-Anderegg Valentina V Benz-Fragnière Christelle C Nieuwenboom Jan Willem JW Schmid Holger H Halford W Kim WK Bodenmann Guy G

PloS one 20200219 2

The transition to parenthood (TTP) is a stressful life event for most couples. Therefore, the way both partners jointly cope with stress (i.e., dyadic coping) is important for the prevention of individual adjustment problems (e.g., depression). For dyadic coping to be effective in reducing depressive symptoms, efforts of both partners should be equal. However, many couples experience a decrease of equity in task division within the domestic sphere across the TTP. The current study investigates t ...[more]

PMID: 32074100

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Project description:ImportanceA diagnosis of young-onset dementia (YOD) is a life-altering event for both persons with dementia and their spousal caregivers. Dyadic coping (DC) theoretical models acknowledge that dyads cope with stressors as a unit, but these models have yet to be used in YOD.ObjectiveTo explore the lived experiences of couples managing YOD using an integrated DC model.Design, setting, and participantsThis qualitative study recruited couples from a single major medical setting and through social media. Eligibility criteria included cohabitation, 1 partner diagnosed with YOD and able to participate, and both partners willing to participate. Live online video interviews were conducted from March to June 2020.ExposuresOne semistructured interview, which was recorded and subsequently transcribed. Recruitment was stopped once thematic saturation was reached.Main outcomes and measuresFive themes were deductively derived based on the integrated DC framework, including stress communication, positive individual DC, positive conjoint DC, negative individual DC, and negative conjoint DC. Within each theme, subthemes were inductively identified to further characterize couples' dyadic coping experiences with YOD.ResultsA total of 23 couples were interviewed, comprising persons with dementia (11 women [48%]; mean [SD] age, 61.3 [4.65] years; mean [SD] time from diagnosis, 3.11 [3.85]) years; and spousal caregivers (13 women [57%]; mean [SD] age, 60.5 [5.40] years). Data supported the 5 a priori DC themes and novel subthemes describing couples' experiences with YOD. Specifically, couples enacted positive conjoint DC by approaching challenges using a teamwork approach to problem solving and relying on collaborative communication. In contrast, couples engaged in negative conjoint DC through mutual avoidance, leading to increased negative communication and conflict. Couples described initially engaging in avoidance and withdrawal to navigate YOD-related stressors. While these strategies provided short-term relief from challenging emotions, they prevented engagement in adaptive coping (eg, acceptance and collaborative problem-solving) to promote long-term adjustment.Conclusions and relevanceThis study used an evidence-based integrated DC approach to identify the positive and negative coping behaviors of couples managing YOD. To our knowledge, this is the first study to use a DC framework to guide qualitative analysis, and it provides valuable insights into DC strategies used by couples navigating YOD-related stressors. Findings can inform the development of dyadic psychosocial services for couples managing YOD and have implications for other progressive illnesses.

Project description:Objective: Chronic physical illness affects not only patients but also their partners. Dyadic coping (DC)-the ways couples cope in dealing with a stressor such as chronic illness-has received increased attention over the last three decades. The aim of the current study was to summarize the state of research on DC in couples with chronic physical illnesses. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies published between 1990 and 2020, assessing DC in couples affected by severe physical illnesses. We used DC and related search terms for the literature search in Psycinfo, Psyndex, and Medline. Five thousand three hundred thirty studies were identified in three electronic databases and 49 of these were included in the review (5,440 individuals reported on 2,820 dyads). We excluded studies on cancer, cardiovascular disease, and multiple sclerosis because of existing reviews in the respective fields. Half of the studies included were on diabetes. Other studies were on arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Huntington's disease, lupus erythematosus, Parkinson's disease, renal diseases, stroke, and endometriosis. Two raters extracted data using a predefined protocol, including study quality. Results were collated in a narrative synthesis organized by illness and DC operationalization. Results: Overall, DC was associated with beneficial outcomes in physical health, well-being, and relationship satisfaction. Differential effects became apparent for certain chronic conditions potentially depending on certain disease characteristics, such as early-onset, sudden-onset, or life-threatening conditions. Conclusion: Facing challenges together as a couple seemed indispensable for adapting to a diverse range of demands related to chronic illnesses with some specific demands of particular chronic diseases. There is a need for the development of truly dyadic interventions with an eye on the specific challenges of the various chronic conditions.

Project description:BackgroundThe relationship between the risk of acquiring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and people's choices about life course events describing the transition to parenthood-sexual debut, union (in the form of marriage, cohabitation, or long-term relationship), and parenthood-is still unclear. A crucial role in shaping this relationship may be played by the sequence of these events and by their timing. This suggests the opportunity to focus on the life courses in their entirety rather than on the specific events, thus adopting a holistic approach that regards each individual's life course trajectory as a whole.MethodsWe summarise the individual life courses describing the transition to parenthood using ordered sequences of the three considered events. We aim to (i) investigate the association between the sequences and HIV infection, and (ii) understand how these sequences interact with known mechanisms for HIV transmission, such as the length of sexual exposure and the experience of non-regular sexual partnerships. For this purpose, we use data from a general population cohort study run in Manicaland (Zimbabwe), a Sub-Saharan African area characterised by high HIV prevalence.ResultsFor both genders, individuals who experienced either premarital or delayed childbearing have higher HIV risk compared to individuals following more standard transitions. This can be explained by the interplay of the sequences with known HIV proximate determinants, e.g., a longer exposure to sexual activity and higher rates of premarital sex. Moreover, we found that people in the younger birth cohorts experience more normative and safer sequences.ConclusionsThe shift of younger generations towards more normative transitions to parenthood is a sign of behaviour change that might have contributed to the observed reduction in HIV prevalence in the area. On the other hand, for people with less normative transitions, targeted strategies are essential for HIV prevention.

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Fair enough? Decreased equity of dyadic coping across the transition to parenthood associated with depression of first-time parents.

Publications

Fair enough? Decreased equity of dyadic coping across the transition to parenthood associated with depression of first-time parents.

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