Parental Role Socialization and the Transition to Parenthood

Drawing on family stress and social role theories, this study investigates the relationships between level of socialization for parenthood among 454 primiparous couples and indicators of personal, family, and infant well-being. When social support, life events, childhood experience, health, education, and income are held constant, the level of socialization predicted personal and family wellbeing for both mothers and fathers. Implications for family educators are discussed.