Darina Kmentová: First Reproductive Experiences and Partnership Stability

Successful Conception and More Stable Relationships

The study draws on data from the Contemporary Czech Family (Generations and Gender Survey) and follows couples who at some point attempted to conceive within a partnership. The analysis shows that couples who successfully conceived a child experienced a significantly lower risk of relationship dissolution than those whose first attempt was unsuccessful. Fifteen years after the end of their first conception attempt, approximately 78% of couples who conceived successfully were still together, compared with only 44% of couples who ultimately gave up trying.

Long-Term Efforts to Conceive as a Source of Strain

The duration of attempts to conceive also plays an important role. The findings indicate that couples who tried to conceive for more than two years faced more than twice the risk of partnership dissolution compared with couples who conceived within the first six months. This association remained evident even among couples who eventually succeeded in conceiving.

Infertility as a Relationship Stressor

The research suggests that fertility difficulties are more often a source of psychological and relationship strain than an experience that strengthens a partnership. Managing infertility over an extended period may represent a cumulative stressful experience that contributes to a higher likelihood of separation or divorce. The study therefore contributes to a better understanding of the links between reproductive experiences and partnership stability.

Darina Kmentová is affiliated with the Department of Sociology at the Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University. The research was conducted within the project “Alone for Everything? Opportunities and Risks of the Individualisation of Society (PRINS)”, which is co-financed by the European Union. The study draws on data from the Czech Generations and Gender Survey (GGS-CZ), conducted under the project Contemporary Czech Family.