PREBIRTH MARITAL INTERACTIONS AND POSTBIRTH MARITAL DEVELOPMENT

A considerable body of research supports the general statement that '' couples who before the birth of their first child are characterized by positive mutuality, partner autonomy, and the ability to confront pro blems and regulate negative affect are responsive to the needs of thei r infants, promote their autonomy and have more secure and autonomous children, as seen throughout the first 4 years of life'' (Heinicke, 19 95). The implications for infant mental health are profound, but more needs to be known about what specific prebirth marital qualities inter act with and anticipate postbirth marital and child functioning. This is a study of the association between the nature of the couple's prebi rth interaction and their marital adaptation during the first 2 years of the child's life. Linking pre- and postbirth marital functioning, t he frequency of negative affect and off-task scores, as well as the in ability to resolve their issues in the prebirth marital interaction, a nticipated a declining or consistently low postbirth marital adaptatio n.