The transition to parenthood is a major life event characterized by profound changes for a considerable number of people. Previous meta-analyses summarized the results obtained by various researchers in the first year and, respectively, in the first 2 years postpartum, globally. The current study adds to the literature by testing the changes from 12 to 24 months, the cross-partner associations and the analysis of different moderators. The aims of this present meta-analysis are to investigate the decrease in marital satisfaction during the first and second year postpartum, to examine cross-partner associations of the decline in postpartum marital satisfaction, and to investigate the potential moderating variables of this decrease. Forty-nine studies (97 samples of parents and 9 samples of non-parents) that fit our criteria are included in the meta-analysis. The data analysis was performed using meta-analytic techniques. Marital satisfaction has a medium decrease between pregnancy and 12 months postpartum, and a small decline between 12 and 24 months postpartum for both genders. In a similar period with first year postpartum, non-parents present a small decline in marital satisfaction. Moreover, the analysis of the dyadic studies data shows cross-partner associations, confirming that one partner’s satisfaction has a steeper decline when the other partner’s satisfaction presents a steep decrease. The decrease in marital satisfaction does not stop after the first postpartum year, and the coss-partners associations are present. Theoretical and therapeutic implications are also discussed.

Recent research has investigated how the sense of relational entitlement (SRE, the extent to which a person expects that his/her needs and wishes will be fulfilled by the romantic partner) diminishes couple satisfaction, but little is known about how SRE affects the daily quality of close, romantic relationships. Moreover, the evidence on how SRE interacts with other features of a satisfying relationship (such as the variables of the interpersonal process model of relationships—self-disclosure, perceived partner disclosure, and perceived partner responsiveness) is scarce. Using an electronic daily diary, we examined 99 couples (198 participants) for 7 days, with two daily measurements for each partner. We used a dyadic double intercept multilevel model, which simultaneously computes effects for men and women. We tested a model where one partner's daily couple satisfaction was predicted by their overall levels of SRE (excessive, restricted, and assertive) and by their daily and overall levels of self-disclosure, perceived partner self-disclosure, and perceived partner responsiveness. The model also included person-level interactions and cross-level interactions between the SRE types and variables of the interpersonal process model of relationships for each gender. The analysis indicated that person-level excessive SRE lowers couple satisfaction. Also, day and person-level perceived partner responsiveness and person-level self-disclosure are related to couple satisfaction, but the latter association is significant only for men. Finally, we found some significant person-level interactions that account for changes in couple satisfaction. For men, the links between couple satisfaction, excessive and restricted SRE were moderated by self-disclosure and perceived partner responsiveness, respectively, perceived partner self-disclosure and perceived partner responsiveness. For women, the associations between couple satisfaction, restricted and assertive SRE were moderated by self-disclosure, respectively, perceived partner self-disclosure. This study advances our understanding of the general implications of SRE in the dynamics of couple relationships. More specifically, it shows how SRE interacts with other couple-specific variables in shaping day-to-day couple satisfaction. The theoretical and clinical implications for couple therapy are discussed.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the mediating effects of positive psychological capital (both as compound PsyCap and separate resources) in the relationship between social support and the two components of HRQoL: physical and mental health. Method: We conducted the current cross-sectional study on a sample of 319 participants (114 male; 205 female) aged 65 to 90. Results: The results indicated significant positive associations between social support, PsyCap, physical health and mental health. Compound PsyCap fully mediated the relationship between perceived social support and physical/mental health. Hope and optimism positively predicted physical health, while the same PsyCap resources, along with self-efficacy positively predicted mental health. Discussion: The retirees that perceived increased social support presented higher levels of PsyCap, which in turn increased their physical and mental health. Our results highlighted some new explanatory mechanisms regarding the relationships between variables that affect health-related quality of life among older adults.

Objective: The present study examines the association of children's oppositional behavior with marital and life satisfaction by examining the mediating role of parenting stress.Background: Previous research indicates that parents of children who exhibit behavioral problems often experience parenting stress and lower marital and life satisfaction. However, few studies have addressed the underlying mechanisms, and even fewer have focused on the effects of children's nonclinical oppositional behaviors while obtaining data from both parents.Method: Participants were 211 parent dyads (N = 422) of typically developing preschool children. Data on child's oppositional behavior, parenting stress, and marital and life satisfaction were obtained from both parents simultaneously and analyzed using the common fate mediation model.Results: Parenting stress was found to fully mediate the associations between children's oppositional behavior and marital and life satisfaction, whereas marital satisfaction was found to partially mediate the association between parenting stress and life satisfaction.Conclusions: Children's oppositional behaviors lead to lower marital and life satisfaction through a mechanism of parenting stress, and parenting stress negatively affects life satisfaction, both directly and indirectly, through marital satisfaction.Implications: Therapeutic interventions for treating children's oppositional behaviors can usefully include a direct focus on reducing parenting stress and enhancing parents’ ability to cope with child‐related stress as a couple, thus improving parents’ satisfaction with their marital relationship and with life in general.

Parents of young children who exhibit behavioral problems often experience lower marital satisfaction. In the present study we aimed to explore the association between preschool children's noncompliant behavior and marital satisfaction, and to explain it through the mediating role of parental self-efficacy and satisfaction with parenting. Participants were 188 married Israeli couples with a typically developing child aged 3 to 6, selected in a convenience sample. Mothers and fathers independently completed measures of child’s behavior, marital satisfaction, parental self-efficacy, and satisfaction with parenting. Data were collected between September 2019 and February 2020 and were analyzed using the common fate model (CFM). Results indicate a direct, negative association between child's noncompliant behavior and marital satisfaction, which was fully explained by parental self-efficacy and satisfaction with parenting. The study suggests that both parents are affected by their young child’s noncompliance, with a spillover effect from the parent–child relationship into the marital relationship. The findings highlight the importance of early treatment of children's noncompliance and indicate that interventions aimed at enhancing parents’ self-efficacy and satisfaction, as well as the inclusion of both parents in treatment, may be beneficial.