What is it about?
Cortisol, a stress hormone, can provide information on couples functioning. When cortisol levels of each partner are in synchrony, it may explain certain dynamics between partners. Across the transition to parenthood, this synchrony may change, also according to how stress partners are and how much emotional support they provide to each other. This paper examines how cortisol levels are associated between partners from pregnancy to 6 and 18 months after birth, and whether stress and perceived responsiveness change the synchrony.
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Why is it important?
Our findings show that cortisol synchrony is stronger during early parenthood and remains later on as well (18 months). Also, while stress is associated with stronger partners' cortisol synchrony, emotional support from the partner dampens it. This may help new parents to cope better with this new challenging time.
Perspectives
Writing this article was a great pleasure and a challenge at the same time. Couples dynamics and/or the transition to parenthood are central in many people's lives. I hope that readers will find this view on cortisol synchrony in couples interesting or intriguing like I do.
Marianne Richter
University of Fribourg
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Cortisol linkage, stress, and perceived partner responsiveness across the transition to parenthood., Journal of Family Psychology, November 2025, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/fam0001419.
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