Maintaining the Couple within the Family: Exploring Relationship Actions and Projects during the Transition to Parenthood

Abstract

Contextual Action Theory (CAT) was used to guide an exploratory qualitative study of first-time parents’ relational experiences of transitioning to parenthood. The Action-Project Method (A-PM) was used to address the specific research questions “what kinds of projects for future life together do adult couples jointly construct as they transition from partners to parents?” and “what are the joint actions of these couples as they construct and pursue these projects?” Situated in the field of counselling psychology, this body of work integrates research and practical implications. Manuscript 1 contributes to the methodological literature by describing for the first time how the A-PM can be adapted to conduct research online. Findings from Manuscript 2 reveal specific relationship projects and actions from five couples in the process of becoming parents for the first time. Manuscript 3 highlights both the positive and negative impacts of COVID-19 on the ways in which couples nurture their mutual relationship as they have their first child together. Taken together, findings from this dissertation contribute to the couple and family relations literature by shedding light on both partners’ observed interactions and qualitative accounts of their relational experiences three-to-six months following the birth of their first child. This work offers methodological and conceptual advancements in the field of counselling psychology, which will continue to encourage advancements in both research and clinical practice.