William Atkins
Sunday, 12 April 2009 18:58
Science -
Health
Page 1 of 3
As suspected by any person married with children, but until now not detailed in a long-term study, U.S. researchers find that children increase stress on marriages. In fact, dissatisfaction plummets within the first year of the first baby!
Researchers at the University of Denver (Colorado) and Texas A&M University (College Station) studied 218 couples in the Denver, Colorado area for eight years—most with children and a lesser number without.
The researchers videotaped couples discussing a recent problem or argument. Over the eight year period the researchers also provided the couples with annual questionnaires about their marriage.
They were asked to rate various aspects of their marriage from high to low in satisfaction.
After analysis of all the data, the researchers found that 90% of the couples had less satisfaction in their marriages after their first child was born.
Their marital bliss began to rapidly decline within the first year of having the first toddler
Although not surprising in the least to parents, this study does help to put statistics to the idea that children place extra stress and strain on the happiness of many marriages.
It is considered one of the more in-depth studies of happiness and stress for married couples with children.
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