Marital quality and conflict across the transition to parenthood in African American and white couples

Changes in marital quality and marital conflict are explored in a longitudinal study of White and African American couples making the transition to parenthood within the first 2 years of marriage (38 White, 27 African American) and a group of couples who remained childless (75 White, 31 African American). Results show that White and African American spouses who become parents report lower marital happiness and more frequent conflicts after the transition than before. White parents also report higher marital tension and a greater likelihood to become quiet and withdrawn during conflict after the birth of their child. For new mothers and fathers, conflict behaviors predict marital happiness in similar ways-attacking the spouse and leaving the scene of the conflict predicted lower marital happiness, and becoming quiet and withdrawn predicted higher marital happiness. These patterns are similar for both African American and White spouses.