High-risk pregnancies, psychological distress, and dyadic adjustment

The objective of the present study was to examine the effects of a high-risk pregnancy on the psychological well-being and marital adjustment of parents. Gender differences in the adaptation process of parents to this potentially stressful change in their life conditions were also investigated. Global findings showed no differences in the average psychological and marital adjustment scores of high- and low-risk parents during this transition. However, findings did suggest that high- and low-risk parents differed in the way they adapt to parenthood. Results also supported the hypothesized gender differences in the adaptation process of both women and men.