Date of Award:

5-2014

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Human Development and Family Studies

Department name when degree awarded

Family, Consumer, and Human Development

Committee Chair(s)

W. David Robinson

Committee

W. David Robinson

Committee

Ryan Seedall

Committee

Linda Skogrand

Abstract

The objective of this research study was to investigate how meaningful it would be to provide relationship therapy from a marriage and family therapist to couples going through the transition to parenthood. The participants in this study all received four therapy sessions before the baby was born and one therapy session after the birth. A total of five couples participated in this study. Data was gathered from the assessments they took before each therapy session and at the final interview.

As a result, the participants in this study all remained stable or increased in their marital satisfaction when measured four to seven weeks after the baby was born. Furthermore, the couples reported in a final interview that therapy helped them to improve communication skills, stress management skills, and overall preparation for handling the challenges of becoming new parents. New parenthood for these couples brought about physical and emotional challenges, a need for social support, bonding with the baby, and satisfaction in roles and their new identity. This research was important because it demonstrated how brief, couple-focused therapy, provided by a trained marriage and family therapist, could benefit couples going through the transition to parenthood.

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