YES, WE COPE: Dyadic Coping as a Mediator Between Perceived Relationship Quality and Emotional Representation of COVID-19

Abstract

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about social changes that have impacted the functioning and dynamics of couples in a romantic relationship, arising from the overwhelming amount of added stress they have endured. Specifically, the divorce rate in Portugal has increased after lockdown, which underscores the adverse consequences of COVID-19 on couples. A lower quality of the couple’s relationship may worsen the emotional representation of COVID-19; however, the literature suggests that perceived partner dyadic coping responses have a great influence on adverse events. The aim of the present study was to assess the mediating role of partner coping in the association between relationship quality and emotional representation of COVID-19. We also sought to observe whether the length of the relationship moderates this association. Methods Participants (N = 528) were adults living in Portugal (84.7% female) currently in a romantic relationship with their current partner for at least 1 year. Online data collection. Results We found that relationship quality predicted COVID-19 emotional representation, but this association was fully mediated by total dyadic coping. This association was especially significant in couples with a shorter length of time in the relationship. Conclusions We point out the importance of dyadic coping as a protective factor against emotional distress to cope with the ongoing stressors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. These data suggest the need for relationship education programs that promote positive coping between partners.

Romantic partnership and perceived risk of separation during COVID-19 lockdown in the Dominican Republic

“…An explanation for the heightened risk among couples already contemplating separation prior to COVID-19 lies in the stress overflow phenomenon that we described before, which made the relationship more susceptible. Empirical evidence robustly indicates that couples experiencing frequent coronavirus-related conflict or those unable or unwilling to engage in mutual coping were more likely to report lower satisfaction, decreased in sexual and intimate encounters and conflicts (Donato et al, 2021;From et al, 2023;Luetke et al, 2020;Relvas et al, 2023).…”

“…Nonetheless, these variables also underwent scrutiny in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the research indicated that the pandemic-induced stress, anxiety, and uncertainty generally adversely affected relationship quality (Balzarini, et al, 2023;Pietromonaco, & Overall, 2021;Relvas et al, 2023), dyadic adjustment, and adaptive coping mechanisms (Donato et al, 2021;Romeo, et al, 2022). It is worth noting that these studies predominantly offered cross-sectional insights, while a singular longitudinal study revealed there were no changes in couple satisfaction over a one-year follow-up period (Galdiolo, et al, 2022).…”

Relações Entre Coping Diádico, Demandas E Recursos Do Trabalho E O Bem-Estar Ocupacional

“…Apesar do enriquecimento família-trabalho já ser explorado (e.g., Bodenmann et al,2011;Jiaqing, 2014;Relvas et al, 2023), existe a lacuna na literatura acerca de quais são os impactos específicos dos recursos e estratégias de regulação provenientes da família para cada fator do modelo JD-R.…”

“…Estudos que investigam o impacto negativo dessa interface mostram que pessoas com maiores percepções de conflito família-trabalho apresentam também maiores níveis de estresse e menores níveis de engajamento no trabalho (e.g., Ribeiro et al, 2023). Por outro lado, há também pesquisadores que se debruçam a investigar os impactos positivos da relação família-trabalho, mostrando que equilíbrio entre essas duas áreas é benéfico para o indivíduo, tanto na vida profissional como pessoal (e.g., Bodenmann et al, 2016;Gabardo-Martins et al, 2016;Jiaqing, 2014;Relvas et al, 2023;Timms et al, 2015).…”

“…As relações familiares e românticas têm uma importante função reguladora, na medida em que elas são fontes de recursos para enfrentar o estresse (Carlson & Perrewé, 1999). A maneira como um casal em relacionamento amoroso enfrenta o estresse, i.e., o coping diádico, já se mostrou um eficiente regulador emocional para a diminuição do estresse, aumento do bem-estar e manutenção dos relacionamentos amorosos (Bodenmann et al, 2016;Jiaqing, 2014;Relvas et al, 2023). Os resultados de pesquisas lideradas por Fallahchai sobre a interface família-trabalho mostraram que o coping diádico pode reduzir os impactos negativos do conflito e do estresse ocupacional (Fallahchai, 2022;Fallahchai et al, 2019).…”