Becoming parents: Examining the role of dyadic coping on the individual and relational adjustment of future mothers and their partners

The present study examines the transition to parenthood focusing on the individual and the couple experience. We examined dyadic coping styles within a sample of Italian primiparous couples during the late stage of pregnancy in order to understand the relationship between dyadic coping and individual (depression) and interpersonal outcomes (i.e., couples’ adjustment). Given the interdependence that characterizes relationship processes (i.e., the transition to parenthood), we adopted a dyadic data analysis approach, as we were particularly interested in exploring some inter-partner influences. In other words, we examined whether self-reported dyadic coping styles impact the individual and the partner’s psychological and relational well-being.