MOURA-RAMOS, Mariana    CANAVARRO, Maria Cristina. Adaptação parental ao nascimento de um filho: comparação da reactividade emocional e psicossintomatologia entre pais e mães nos primeiros dias após o parto e oito meses após o parto. []. , 25, 3, pp.399-413. ISSN 0870-8231.

Adjustment to parenthood has been described as an important moment in a family life, characterized by the presence of new and demanding tasks to both mothers and fathers. Although the birth of a child is usually an important and gratifying event, some couples lives are disrupted by this moment causing difficulties in adjustment to the new demands of parenthood. Because man and women generally adjust differently to the new demands of parenthood, the purpose of this study is to describe the differences of mothers and fathers adjustment to parenthood in two different moments: two to five days and eight months postpartum. The sample of the study was collected in Maternidade Dr. Daniel de Matos dos Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra and consisted of 214 mothers and 193 fathers. Data was obtained using sociodemographic questionnaires and self report assessment scales. Our results suggest that that the birth of a child can be a stressful but positively manageable event. Nevertheless, mothers seem to present a more intense emotional reaction, mainly in the first moment of assessment. The birth of a child appears to be an important moment in a family life, promoting great happiness in mothers and fathers. However, the present study suggests that mothers present more difficulties in adjustment to parenthood, probably due to the presence of more changes and need of reorganization in their lives.

: Pospartum; parenthood; adjustment; gender.

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