Successful negotiation of goal conflict between romantic partners predicts better goal outcomes during COVID-19: A mixed methods study

Abstract

When romantic partners’ personal goals conflict, this can negatively affect personal goal outcomes, such as progress. In a concurrent mixed methods study, we investigated whether goal conflict and negation of goal conflict were associated with goal outcomes (progress, confidence, motivation) and what strategies partners used during the COVID-19 pandemic to negotiate goal conflict. Survey participants ( n = 200) completed a daily diary for a week and weekly longitudinal reports for a month and interview participants ( n = 48) attended a semi-structured interview. Results showed that higher goal conflict was associated with lower goal outcomes, and successful negotiation of goal conflict was associated with better goal outcomes. Qualitative analyses identified three goal conflict negotiation strategies (compromise, integration, concession). Conversations focused on both practical and emotional needs and included respectful communication and space from conflict (timeout or avoidance). The mixed methods results suggest that goal conflict was low during the pandemic and participants were often able to negotiate goal conflict resulting in better goal outcomes.

A descriptive literature review of early research on COVID-19 and close relationships

“…We use Karney and Bradbury’s (1995) vulnerability-stress-adaptation (VSA) model as adapted by Pietromonaco and Overall (2021) to the COVID-19 context to further categorize and understand these themes. This model has been successfully used in multiple COVID-19 and close relationship studies that were ultimately included here (e.g., Fleming & Franzese, 2021 ; Gresham et al, 2021 ; Holmberg et al, 2021 ; Vowels et al, 2021 ). Using family and relationship theory, this adapted VSA model proposes that (1) external stress (such as COVID-19 and its attendant regulations, change in job status, isolation, etc.…”

“…In one study conducted over a 10-day period where college students recorded their daily relational experiences, amount of daily conflict was positively related to COVID-19-related anxiety and inversely related to end-of-day optimism ( Merolla et al, 2021 ). At times when goal conflict with a romantic partner was higher, individuals reported that their goals were impacted by COVID-19 more than when goal conflict was lower ( Vowels et al, 2021 ). Vowels et al (2021) utilized a mixed-methods design and identified several specific methods for managing conflict during the pandemic, including: respectful communication, talking about it, focusing on emotional needs, focusing on practical solutions, taking a timeout, and avoidance.…”

“…At times when goal conflict with a romantic partner was higher, individuals reported that their goals were impacted by COVID-19 more than when goal conflict was lower ( Vowels et al, 2021 ). Vowels et al (2021) utilized a mixed-methods design and identified several specific methods for managing conflict during the pandemic, including: respectful communication, talking about it, focusing on emotional needs, focusing on practical solutions, taking a timeout, and avoidance. These conflict management themes can be used to structure future crisis interventions for supporting conflict management among romantic couples amidst a crisis.…”

The impact of non-harmonious goals on partner support and taking on opportunities

“…Such support, when perceived by the recipient as being effective and responsive, can in turn lead to immediate and long-term thriving outcomes. To date, only a few studies have tested portions of this theoretical framework (Feeney et al, 2017;Tomlinson et al, 2016;Vowels & Carnelley, 2021;Vowels et al, 2022). Additional research is necessary to understand factors that may be associated with the model components.…”

“…Research shows that goal conflict has been associated with lower personal well-being, relationship quality and commitment (Gere & Impett, 2018;Gere & Schimmack, 2013;Gere et al, 2011;Kelley & Thibaut, 1978;Righetti et al, 2016;Rusbult & Van Lange, 2003), and negatively associated with different stages of the positive support process in a relationship: openness to receiving support from a partner (Righetti et al, 2014), perceived partner support (Vowels & Carnelley, 2021), and providing support toward a partner's goals (Feeney et al, 2013(Feeney et al, , 2017Hui et al, 2014). This may have serious implications for goal progress and achievement, as people are also less likely to make progress toward goals that are non-harmonious for their relationships (Gere & Schimmack, 2013;Gere et al, 2011;Vowels et al, 2022). Recent research showed that people were more likely to devalue or stop pursuing a goal (Gere & Impett, 2018) and reported less motivation toward and commitment to a goal (Vowels et al, 2022) if it was in conflict with their partner's goals.…”