title: The impact of the first child on marital happiness.
abstract: The effects of the first child on parent's marital happiness were studied using a sample of 185 subjects. Marital happiness scores were found to be lower in the subjects who were pregnant, those with 5-month-old children, and those with 24-month old children than the childless couples. This study suggests trends indicating that first children may influence marital happiness in a negative manner. These findings will assist nurses in the preparation of families for childbearing and the potential changes that may result.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of Nebraska, Omaha 68198-5330.
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Dalgas-Pelish
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006240:Happiness; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology*; D016389:Maternal-Child Nursing / Q000592:standards; D008875:Middle Aged; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000592:standards