Abstract
The purpose of this longitudinal study was to evaluate the effects of support from and conflict with intimates on childcare stress. The sample consisted of 39 primiparous and 49 multiparous women, who were asked to complete a questionnaire twice, within a week and three months after delivery. Results suggest a) that primiparous women alone exhibit vulnerability to childcare stress, b) that increased support from and decreased conflict with blood mothers helps to reduce stress only for primiparous women, and c) that, overall, a lower level of spousal conflict enhances the effect of spousal support on stress reduction.
