The current study was an exploratory investigation of how Gottman's couple

conflict types might present in couples who recently transitioned to parenthood. More in-

depth research of the couple conflict types among new parents seems warranted. Holman

and Jarvis (2003) suggested exploring within-type differences in addition to across-type

differences. They provided the example of comparing volatile couples with high marital

satisfaction to volatile couples with low marital satisfaction. Because task differentiation

and role dissatisfaction in the present investigation were not significantly associated with

volatile or conflict-avoiding couple types, it may also be helpful to compare high task

differentiation and role dissatisfaction couples with low task differentiation and role

dissatisfaction couples within these regulated couple conflict types. This line of inquiry

may illuminate processes contributing to more or less role differentiation and satisfaction,

which may prove universal or idiosyncratic across the couple conflict types. Although

quantitative research can provide clues as to these strengths and weaknesses among new

parents' couple conflict types, qualitative inquiry may be particularly adept at providing a

richer representation of the conflict types.

Implications for Theory

 The study's findings provide further validation for the three theoretical frameworks

which guided this study, as well as some contradictions. The theoretical foundations also

enable a more complex understanding of the research findings. The family life cycle

perspective comprised the study's first framework. Parke noted the family life cycle

represents "multiple developmental trajectories" with each family member's individual

development intersecting and overlapping with other member's individual development

and the developmental stage of the family as a whole (1988 as quoted in Cowan, 1991, p.

7). In the present study, how the couples experienced their babies' first year (constituting