CHAPTER 5
 DISCUSSION

 Becoming a parent and raising a child, though a normative event in the family life

cycle, may be among life's most challenging, joyous, and transforming processes.

Because most experience new parenthood along with a partner, relationships are the

crucible in which these challenges, joys, and transformations occur. Therefore, in our

attempts to understand and ease the transition to parenthood, it is critical to better

comprehend the couple's relationship. A goal of the present study was to explore

relational factors associated with new parenthood, including partners' role arrangements

and satisfaction concerning household and child-related tasks. The extent to which

partners' expectations about these roles were met or violated was also investigated. The

study examined the marital disaffection and individual well-being among new parents.

Lastly, the type of couple conflict behavior characteristic of the couple's relationship was

explored. Attaining a better understanding of new parents' patterns of conflict interaction

was expected to provide insight into how couples might negotiate their family roles to

their individual and relational benefit.

 In this chapter, the study's variables and design are reviewed, and the findings are

discussed. Limitations of the study are also detailed. Finally, implications for policy,

counseling practice, theory, and future research are presented.

 Overview of the Study

 This study of first-time parents included 132 married couples whose infants ranged

in age from 1.54 months to 13.98 months. The couples in the sample had been married an