FOR ANXIOUS SPOUSES, A BABY MAY BE A RIVAL.

A new child can spark feelings of jealousy in a person who already fears being abandoned by his or her partner, maintains a study at Ohio State University, Columbus.

"You might think, who could be jealous of a baby?--but if you already have fears of rejection, it may be scary to see how much attention your partner showers on your new child," says lead author Anna Olsavsky, doctoral student in human sciences.

Adds study coauthor Sarah Schoppe-Sullivan, professor of psychology and a senior research associate on the board of the Council on Contemporary Families: 'This jealousy can erode a couple's relationship. There has been a lot of research that shows couples' satisfaction with their relationship goes down after the birth of a baby, and this could be part of the reason for some people. It is not just that you aren't receiving all the attention that you used to receive, but that the child is receiving that extra devotion that once was given to you."

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