A fussy baby can strain weak marriage.

• Position: Parenting and marriage - Brief article

Couples with infants who are particularly fussy or difficult typically do just fine as parents--as long as they have a strong marital relationship, note researchers at Ohio State University, Columbus.

"When couples with a supportive marital relationship have a difficult baby, they tend to rise to the challenge," says Sarah Schoppe-Sullivan, assistant professor of human development and family science. "Couples who don't have a strong relationship ... are more likely to undermine each other and get into conflicts when they have to deal with a particularly challenging baby. They are more likely to say things to their partner like, 'Don't hold the baby that way,' or they will compete with each other to get the baby's attention."

When couples are poor coparents, Schoppe-Sullivan asserts, they are more likely to have children who show...