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. 2011;12(6):947-962.
doi: 10.1007/s10902-010-9238-2.

Can a Happy Relationship Predict a Happy Life? A Population-Based Study of Maternal Well-Being During the Life Transition of Pregnancy, Infancy, and Toddlerhood

Gunvor Marie Dyrdal  1 , Espen Røysamb  2 , Ragnhild Bang Nes  3 , Joar Vittersø  4
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Can a Happy Relationship Predict a Happy Life? A Population-Based Study of Maternal Well-Being During the Life Transition of Pregnancy, Infancy, and Toddlerhood

Gunvor Marie Dyrdal et al. J Happiness Stud. 2011.

Abstract

The association between overall life satisfaction (LS) and relationship satisfaction (RS) was investigated longitudinally among mothers (N=67,355), using data from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa), conducted by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. Data were collected twice during pregnancy, and at 6 and 36 months postpartum. Satisfaction increased during pregnancy, with RS decreasing immediately following birth and LS showing an initial increase followed by a decrease postpartum. The results showed that LS and RS levels were quite stable over time (.46-.75), as was their cross-sectional associations (.42-.59). Structural equation modeling using a cross-lagged longitudinal model evidenced cross-concept cross-time effects for both LS and RS. The strengths of the cross-effects were asymmetrical and life-phase specific, with RS predicting change in LS more than LS predicted changes in RS during pregnancy and infancy. Having a satisfying romantic relationship is important for retaining and increasing future life satisfaction.

Keywords: Life satisfaction; Parenthood; Pregnancy; Relationship satisfaction; Subjective well-being.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Data-collection points with relevant scales in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Standardized satisfaction scores with 95% confidence intervals. Life satisfaction: N = 66,673 (T1), 62,853 (T2), 51,152 (T3), and 13,215 (T4). Relationship satisfaction: N = 63,617 (T1), 62,117 (T2), 50,174 (T3), and 13,821 (T4)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Overall regression coefficients between life satisfaction and relationship satisfaction measures at Time 1 and Time 4, ** p < .001
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Full main Mplus model with coefficients, and 99% confidence intervals. Tests of model fit yielded χ2 (6) = 289.00, p = .000; CFI = .998, TLI = .993, and RMSEA = .026. All p’s < .001. * Explained variance
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