Record Details

Coping with Early Parenthood, 1979-1984

Harvard Dataverse (Africa Rice Center, Bioversity International, CCAFS, CIAT, IFPRI, IRRI and WorldFish)

View Archive Info
 
 
Field Value
 
Title Coping with Early Parenthood, 1979-1984
 
Identifier https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/ONTWZ9
 
Creator Chester, Nia Lane
 
Publisher Harvard Dataverse
 
Description The purpose of this longitudinal study was to examine the adjustment to new parenthood and to investigate the particular stresses common to new parents. The later data collections focused on occupational satisfaction with preschool children.




In 1976-1977, a group of new and expectant parents participated in a larger two-year longitudinal study examining the adjustment to major life transitions (see Stewart, Log# 00529). In 1979-1980, Chester recontacted the new and expectant parents to follow-up on their experiences as new parents. Thirty-one women and 24 men participated, all White, predominantly middle class, and in their late 20s and early 30s. The average age of the participants only or oldest child was 28 months. In 198
4, this sample was contacted again. Twenty women and seven men participated.




The first two waves are described in Stewart (Log# 00529). In the 1979-80 follow-up, an open-ended interview schedule was employed to assess the new parent experience. Topics covered included satisfaction with parenting, expectations, difficulties, family size, response to hypothetical situations, division of household labor, work, activities and interests, life satisfaction, and advice for other parents. The participants also responded to four Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) picture cues, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Kelly Role Repertory Grid, and the Personal Attributes Questionnaire.




The 1984 data collection focused on occupational patterns and satisfactions of the women who were employed outside the home during their children's preschool years. A mailed questionnaire assessed the impact of children on job involvement, and future work plans. Personality variables, such as motivation and self-definition, and situational characteristics, such as income, child care, attitudes of spouse, and level of job, were also assessed.



The Murray Research Archive holds original record paper data, numeric file data, and audiotapes from all four waves of data collection.



Audio Data Availability Note: This study contains audio data that have been digitized. There are 68 audio files available.
 
Subject Social Sciences
 
Relation Stewart, Abigail J., 1987, "Experience-Induced Affective Development in Children and Adults, 1976-1978", https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/XGSWTO, Harvard Dataverse
 
Type field study, follow-up, longitudinal