Abstract

Psychological litterature has given attention to the couple relationship as a factor which could influence parenthood (Belsky, 1984; Easterbrooks e Emde, 1988; Engfer, 1988; Pancer, Pratt, Hunsberger e Gallant, 2000). The aim of this study is to investigate the development of marital relationship from pregnancy to the first five months of child's life. The research has been conducted through the application of a semistructured interview (Lis e Zennaro, 1997) to the copule, both parents together - during the seventh month of pregnancy, at the 20 th day after the birth of the child, at the third and fifth month of life. Results highlight the presence of an evident change in the description of the marital relationship: marital satisfaction decreases with the growth of the child.