Psychiatric symptoms and couple satisfaction in parents of newborns before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic—A comparison of two prospective studies

Abstract

The perinatal period is a sensitive time for the entire family. A newborn changes the dynamics in the family and requires continuous attention. Some relationships lack sufficient resources, which can lead to tension and conflicts between the parents. However, resilient relationships can even strengthen in the face of challenges, which can have a positive effect on life satisfaction (Isokääntä et al., 2019).Parental life satisfaction varies depending on the time after birth.In general, both new parents are satisfied with life around the time of delivery, but life satisfaction often slightly decreases over the following months as the burdens of parenthood increase (Aasheim et al., 2014). Nonetheless, pregnancy and delivery include multiple biological, social and psychological changes that can substantially impact on the parental relationship.