Paper Title
Depressive Symptoms, Family Sense of Coherence and Marital Satisfaction

Abstract
Background: Transition to parenthood is characterized by a high level of stress, which inevitably affects couples’ psychosocial functioning. Objective: The objective of the study was to examine the relationships and changes in the depressive symptoms, family sense of coherence and marital satisfaction of Chinese couples during the perinatal period. Methods: This was a secondary data analysis of an intervention study for postnatal depression. Participants were Chinese childbearing couples recruited from the antenatal clinics of public hospitals. Data from the control group on the assessment of depressive symptoms, family sense of coherence and marital satisfaction were collected using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Family Sense of Coherence and Dyadic Adjustment Scale during pregnancy and at 6 weeks postpartum, respectively. Results: Both couples experienced increased levels of depressive symptoms at 6 weeks postpartum. The mothers showed more depressive symptoms than their partners, and the mothers’ levels of depressive symptoms, family sense of coherence and marital satisfaction were closely related to those of their partners’. A strong family sense of coherence was associated with fewer depressive symptoms and greater marital satisfaction, and depressive symptoms were related negatively to marital satisfaction during the perinatal period. Conclusion: The study highlights the need to adopt dyadic approach interventions in clinical practice directed at strengthening family sense of coherence, which is essential to promoting marital satisfaction and emotional well-being during the transition to parenthood. Keywords - Depressive Symptoms, Family Sense of Coherence, Marital Satisfaction.