Trajectories of Marital Satisfaction among Parents of Youth with Spina Bifida

This study examined marital satisfaction among parents of youth with spina bifida (SB) over an 8-year period and investigated the usefulness of the double ABCX model for understanding factors that predict change in marital satisfaction across child age. Data from five time points of a longitudinal investigation of psychosocial outcomes in youth with SB were included. Mothers and fathers of children with SB (aged 8-17) reported on marital satisfaction and components of the double ABCX model. Change in marital satisfaction was examined across child age with components of the double ABCX model, as well as interactions between components, as predictors. Marital satisfaction was significantly higher in the present sample than in a normative sample of married couples. Although there were no significant changes in marital satisfaction for either parent as a function of child age, there was significant variability for the intercept and slope of maternal and paternal marital satisfaction within the sample. Family support predicted a higher intercept, and mental health symptoms predicted a lower intercept, for maternal and paternal marital satisfaction. More stressors and SB-related family stress predicted a lower intercept for paternal marital satisfaction. Family support and family stress attributed to SB moderated the relationship between child vulnerability and maternal marital satisfaction. Observed family cohesion and child psychosocial quality of life moderated the relationship between family stressors and paternal marital satisfaction. Findings demonstrate the usefulness of the double ABCX model for this population.