Thumbi, Judith2024-04-192020-08-122024-04-192019-05https://repo.pacuniversity.ac.ke/handle/123456789/2992.2Transition to parenthood is a defining moment for first time parents. The challenges associated with the adjustments necessary to accommodate the new family member are sometimes difficult for new parents. This has an impact on the marriage of the new couple. If not well handled, the conflicts arising from this stage can affect the couple’s marital satisfaction. Most studies on the impact of transition to parenthood on marital satisfaction are influenced by western thinking. Yet despite the potential contextual differences in family values from one culture to another, the topic of transition to parenthood and its impact on marital satisfaction has received limited research attention in Kenya. This study investigated the impact of transition to parenthood on marital satisfaction of first time parents in Kenya. The theoretical frame work for this study was Emotion Focussed Therapy (EFT) which is derived from attachment theory as it applies to adult love relationships. The research adopted a descriptive survey design with a mixed method approach. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to conduct the study, on a population comprising of first time parents in the antenatal, post-natal and well-baby clinics at the Anderson Centre, Nairobi Hospital. Sampling technique was stratified purposive. Questionnaires and interview guides were used to collect data from the respondents. Analysis was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Qualitative data was synthesized and presented in themes. The study established that on a 5-point scale, the greatest change that transition to parenthood caused on first time parents was in terms of finances (M=3.97, SD=1.19) as the couple had to adjust their finances to accommodate the needs of the baby. However, a positive correlation was found between transition to parenthood and marital satisfaction of first time parents (r=.398, p<.01), implying that marital satisfaction of first time parents increased with transition to parenthood. Transition to parenthood explained 14.9% of the variance in the marital satisfaction of first-time parents (R2=.149), whereby one unit transition towards parenthood caused a 0.569 unit increase in the marital satisfaction of first time parents (B=0.569, p<.01). Marital satisfaction increased for 44% of the respondents while it remained the same for 34% of the respondents and decreased for 22% of the respondents following transition to parenthood. Support from friends and family was the single most adopted coping strategy, accounting for 57% of all the coping strategies mentioned by respondents. The study concluded that transition to parenthood generally enhances rather than erodes marital satisfaction of first time parents. This however depends on a number of underlying factors, most notably the presence and support of the spouse, financial preparedness and a strong social support system. Counseling and education for better preparation for transition to parenthood is an important institutional intervention but currently missing in healthcare facilities and counseling services. The study recommended that healthcare facilities should start offering marriage and family therapy services to expectant couples and first-time parents.enstrategics to enhance marital satisfaction during parenthoodfirst time parentsThesis