A Meta-Analytic Study of Couple Interventions during the Transition to Parenthood

The present meta-analysis integrates results of 21 controlled couple-focused interventions with expectant and new parents. The interventions had, on average, small effects on couple communication (d = 0.28 standard deviation units) and psychological well-being (d = 0.21), as well as very small effects on couple adjustment (d = 0.09). Stronger effects emerged if the intervention included more than five sessions, included an antenatal and postnatal component, and was led by professionals rather than semiprofessionals.