Facilitation and Interference from Partners During the Transition to Parenthood: A Co-Occurrence Analysis of Themes Emerging Over Time within and Between Romantic Partners

Abstract

ABSTRACT Drawing on foundational assumptions of relational turbulence theory, this study identified the ways romantic partners facilitate or interfere with individual goals and routines during the transition to parenthood and analyzed how categories of facilitation and interference co-occur within individuals and between partners over time. A thematic analysis of data from a longitudinal study of 78 couples at four points during the transition to parenthood revealed four themes of partner facilitation and five themes of partner interference. Then, results of a thematic co-occurrence analysis identified 13 patterns between and across themes of interference and facilitation within individuals and between relational partners. Finally, the themes were evaluated across waves to identify patterns of change in the sources of partner facilitation and interference over time. The findings offer theoretical and methodological advancements and point to supportive strategies for successfully navigating the transition to parenthood.