Research and analysis

Perinatal pilots for delivery of relationship advice: an evaluation

This research investigates the effectiveness of providing relationship education to new parents.

From:
Department for Work and Pensions
Published
21 December 2017

Documents

Evaluation of perinatal pilots for delivery of relationship advice

Ref: ISBN: 978 1 911003 92 2, RR952

PDF, 1.23 MB, 144 pages

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Summary: Evaluation of perinatal pilots for delivery of relationship advice

PDF, 222 KB, 5 pages

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Details

The education provided in the pilots aimed to:

  • improve couples’ level of preparedness for the impact of having a child on their relationship
  • equip participants with relationship skills – with particular regard to communication and conflict management skills
  • signpost couples to further support, where relevant

The research also investigates whether the process of intervention delivery could be improved.

Existing evidence suggests that it is normal for relationship quality to decline over time, with particular severe decline at stress points such as becoming a parent. Twenge et al (2003) found that, at the extreme, in comparing parents with childless couples, 38% of mothers of infants report high levels of relationship satisfaction as opposed to 62% of childless women.

The intention was to use the pilots to inform wider access to relationship advice through perinatal services.

Authors: Lorna Adams, Sarah Coburn and Helen Rossiter (IFF Research Ltd) and Thomas Spielhofer, Anna Sophie Hahne and Laura Stock (The Tavistock Institute).

Published 21 December 2017

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