Positive and Negative Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Relationship Satisfaction in Male Couples

Abstract

Little is known about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and control measures on gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) couples. The goal of this study was to investigate individual-level relationship satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic in a sample of 209 coupled GBMSM in the United States. We analyzed reported happiness and feelings about a relationship’s future and assessed the odds of changing relationship happiness and investment associated with pandemic-related life changes (pandemic-related employment change; COVID-19 illness; high-risk of severe illness), using logistic and multinomial logit models. Fifty-five percent of participants ( N = 114) reported that their relationship happiness had not changed during the pandemic, but 30% ( N = 62) reported increased relationship happiness. 25% ( N = 53) reported they had become more invested in their relationship’s future during the pandemic, and only one participant reported decreased investment. The odds of increased relationship investment was significantly associated with pandemic-related employment change (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.19 [1.04, 4.61]) and increased sex during the pandemic (aOR: 4.38 [1.55, 12.41]). Those with a pandemic-related employment change also had significantly higher odds of increased relationship happiness than those without a change (aOR: 2.10 [1.01, 4.35]). COVID-19 cases that reported being at higher risk of serious COVID-19 disease had higher odds of decreased relationship happiness than high-risk non-cases (aOR: 6.58 [1.10, 39.39]). Additional research in this area is warranted to minimize the long-term impacts of the pandemic on coupled GBMSM.

A Path Model for Subjective Well-Being during the Second Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparative Study among Polish and Ukrainian University Students

“…For example, an increase in communication, social integration, and social cohesion was observed in families coping with hardship during the pandemic [ 76 ]. People reported spending more time with family and loved ones and had become more invested in the relationship, increasing sexual behavior and relationship happiness [ 17 ]. Many people also found time to develop their interests and learn new skills, provide a more active and healthier lifestyle, and develop interests, art activities, and hobbies [ 15 ].…”

“…Brooks et al [ 14 ] suggested that the adverse consequences of lockdown can affect mentally and physically quarantined individuals and the whole healthcare system. Meanwhile, the pandemic has not only shown a negative impact on human life but plenty of positive effects of the lockdown were reported among people around the world, including spending more time with other people, improved communication and greater investment in family life, more free time for entertainment and relaxation, development of interests and hobbies, and increased creativity and technological innovation [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ].…”

Global Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

“…In countries like India, only a few big organizations can provide the faculty of work from home for employees. Most of the companies are not even prepared [82]. Corona outbreaks show that companies should focus on implementing WFH more as it saves electricity and decreases carbon emissions in nature.…”

COVID-19 and Romantic Relationships

“…However, other studies showed that satisfaction remained stable during the first weeks of the pandemic and that people blamed their partners less, preferring not to attribute their negative behaviors to their internal characteristics [26]. Others found no association between quarantine and marital satisfaction, in both heterosexual and gay and lesbian couples [27,28]. Higher marital satisfaction was related to a lower impact of confinement on health, physical and emotional well-being [29].…”