This book examines the transition from the perspective of adult attachment theory. It reviews previous studies of the transition to parenthood and of adult attachments, and presents the results of a comprehensive new study of parenthood. In this study, the researchers followed the experiences of approximately 100 couples who were becoming parents for the first time, together with a comparison sample of couples who were not planning to have a child at this stage. Couples were assessed on four occasions: during the second trimester of pregnancy, and 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months post-birth. The book addresses such key issues as the division of domestic labor, the changing nature of couples' marital relationships, changes in new parents' attachment networks, postnatal depression, and factors predicting the ease of the transition.

"Becoming Parents offers prospective parents, students, practitioners, and yes, even researchers, a new perspective on the transition to parenthood. The volume is well written, the questions put forth by the authors are important, and the findings of the study are interesting. Feeney and her colleagues have written a book that is both innovative and theoretically grounded. Anyone interested in the transition to parenthood would do well to read it." Contemporary Psychology

"An excellent book for readers at all levels." CHOICE