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Moving house, getting married, having kids...we're told they are the most stressful events we will experience. Now a new study shows that having children really does put a strain on a marriage, something that will not come as a surprise to most!

Psychologists at the universities of Denver and Texas conducted the research, examining the marriages of 220 couples over an eight-year period.

Ninety per cent of couples were found to have experienced a 'decrease in marital satisfaction' following the birth of a child.

However, those who did not have children suffered the same dissatisfaction, but a little later in their relationships.
Scott Stanley from Denver University explained: "Couples who do not have children also show diminished marital quality over time.

"However, having a baby accelerates the deterioration, especially seen during periods of adjustment right after the birth of a child."

The stress and strain of having a new baby was found to be worse for those who had been living together beforehand and those on lower incomes were also more prone to problems.

Keen to emphasise that couples should not read too much into the research, Professor Stanley commented: "There are different types of happiness in life.

"While some lustre may be off marital happiness for at least a time during this period of life, there is a whole dimension of happiness and contentment based on the family that couples are building.

"This type of happiness can be powerful and positive but it has not been the focus of research."