Skip to main content Accessibility help
×
Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-p2v8j Total loading time: 0.001 Render date: 2024-06-05T13:46:27.925Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

13 - Romantic Relationships during a Global Pandemic

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 October 2023

Brian G. Ogolsky
Affiliation:
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Get access

Summary

Stress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic can threaten the ability to successfully maintain established romantic relationships as well as navigate the initiation and development of new relationships. Drawing on the vulnerability-stress-adaptation (VSA) model, we propose that the extent to which pandemic-related stress will undermine couples’ relationships, as well as the initiation of new relationships, will depend on the amount and severity of pandemic-related and preexisting levels of stress combined with enduring personal vulnerabilities such as attachment insecurity. We review a growing body of research examining relationship processes and functioning prior to and during the initial stages of the pandemic that provides evidence consistent with this framework and draws on related research suggesting routes to minimize relationship disruptions and promote resilience. In addition, we review newly emerging research examining how pandemic-related stress might impact the initiation of relationships. Finally, we discuss several directions for future research to facilitate an understanding of the longer-term implications of the pandemic for ongoing and newly developing romantic relationships.

Type
Chapter
Information
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Aknin, L., De Neve, J.-E., Dunn, E., Fancourt, D., Goldberg, E., Helliwell, J. F., Jones, S. P., Karam, E., Layard, R., Lyubomirsky, S., Rzepa, A., Saxena, S., Thornton, E. M., VanderWeele, T. J., Whillans, A. V., Zaki, J., Karadag Caman, O., & Ben Amor, Y. (2021). Mental health during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: A review and recommendations for moving forward. Perspectives on Psychological Science. https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:eb6e61dd-9e50-48d1-b64b-5d9106b6225dGoogle Scholar
Alexopoulos, C., Timmermans, E., Sharabi, L. L., Roaché, D. J., Croft, A., Hall, E. D., James-Hawkins, L., Lamarche, V., & Uhlich, M. (2021). Settling down without settling: Perceived changes in partner preferences in response to COVID-19. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 38(6), 19011919. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075211011527CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Algoe, S. B., Gable, S. L., & Maisel, N. C. (2010). It’s the little things: Everyday gratitude as a booster shot for romantic relationships. Personal Relationships, 17(2), 217233. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6811.2010.01273.xCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Alyammahi, S. K., Abdin, S. M., Alhamad, D. W., Elgendy, S. M., Altell, A. T., & Omar, H. A. (2021). The dynamic association between COVID-19 and chronic disorders: An updated insight into prevalence, mechanisms and therapeutic modalities. Infection, Genetics and Evolution, 87, 104647. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meegid.2020.104647CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Aron, A., Norman, C. C., Aron, E. N., McKenna, C., & Heyman, R. E. (2000). Couples’ shared participation in novel and arousing activities and experienced relationship quality. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 78(2), 273284. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.78.2.273CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Balzarini, R. N., Muise, A., Zoppolat, G., Di Bartolomeo, A., Rodrigues, D. L., Alonso-Ferres, M., Urganci, B., Debrot, A., Bock Pichayayothin, N., Dharma, C., Chi, P., Karremans, J. C., Schoebi, D., & Slatcher, R. B. (2022). Love in the time of COVID: Perceived partner responsiveness buffers people from lower relationship quality associated with COVID-related stressors. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 19485506221094436. https://doi.org/10.1177/19485506221094437Google Scholar
Bar-Kalifa, E., Randall, A. K., & Perelman, Y. (2021). Daily dyadic coping during COVID-19 among Israeli couples. Emotion, 22(8). https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000971Google ScholarPubMed
Barry, R. A., Barden, E. P., & Dubac, C. (2019). Pulling away: Links among disengaged couple communication, relationship distress, and depressive symptoms. Journal of Family Psychology, 33(3), 280293. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000507CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Beck, L. A., Pietromonaco, P. R., DeBuse, C. J., Powers, S. I., & Sayer, A. G. (2013). Spouses’ attachment pairings predict neuroendocrine, behavioral, and psychological responses to marital conflict. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 105(3), 388424. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0033056CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Beck, L. A., Pietromonaco, P. R., DeVito, C. C., Powers, S. I., & Boyle, A. M. (2014). Congruence between spouses’ perceptions and observers’ ratings of responsiveness: The role of attachment avoidance. Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin, 40(2), 164174. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167213507779CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Biddle, N., Edwards, B., Gray, M., & Sollis, K. (2020). Mental health and relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Australian National University. https://csrm.cass.anu.edu.au/research/publications/mental-health-and-relationships-during-covid-19-pandemicGoogle Scholar
Biden, E. J., Greenwood, C. J., Macdonald, J. A., Spry, E. A., Letcher, P., Hutchinson, D., Youssef, G. J., McIntosh, J. E., & Olsson, C. A. (2021). Preparing for future adversities: Lessons from the covid-19 pandemic in Australia for promoting relational resilience in families. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 1319. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.717811CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bonanno, G. A. (2004). Loss, trauma, and human resilience: Have we underestimated the human capacity to thrive after extremely aversive events? American Psychologist, 59(1), 2028. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.59.1.20CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bowling, J., Montanaro, E., Gattuso, J., Gioia, D., & Guerrero Ordonez, S. (2021). “Everything feels risky now”: Perceived “risky” sexual behavior during COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Health Psychology, 13591053211004684. https://doi.org/10.1177/13591053211004684Google ScholarPubMed
Bradbury‐Jones, C., & Isham, L. (2020). The pandemic paradox: The consequences of COVID‐19 on domestic violence. Journal of Clinical Nursing (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.), 29(13/14), 20472049. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.15296CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Brown, G., & Greenfield, P. M. (2021). Staying connected during stay‐at‐home: Communication with family and friends and its association with well‐being. Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies. https://doi.org/10.1002/hbe2.246CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brown, S. M., Doom, J. R., Lechuga-Peña, S., Watamura, S. E., & Koppels, T. (2020). Stress and parenting during the global COVID-19 pandemic. Child Abuse & Neglect, 110(Pt 2), 104699. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104699CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Browne, D. T., Wade, M., May, S. S., Jenkins, J. M., & Prime, H. (2021). Covid-19 disruption gets inside the family: A two-month multilevel study of family stress during the pandemic. Developmental Psychology, 57(10), 16811692.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bu, F., Steptoe, A., Mak, H. W., & Fancourt, D. (2021). Time use and mental health in UK adults during an 11-week COVID-19 lockdown: A panel analysis. British Journal of Psychiatry, 219(4), 551556. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.2021.44CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Buck, A. A., & Neff, L. A. (2012). Stress spillover in early marriage: The role of self-regulatory depletion. Journal of Family Psychology, 26(5), 698708. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0029260CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Butzer, B., & Campbell, L. (2008). Adult attachment, sexual satisfaction, and relationship satisfaction: A study of married couples. Personal Relationships, 15(1), 141154. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6811.2007.00189.xCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Campbell, L., Simpson, J. A., Boldry, J., & Kashy, D. A. (2005). Perceptions of conflict and support in romantic relationships: The role of attachment anxiety. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 88(3), 510531. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.88.3.510CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Carnelley, K. B., Pietromonaco, P. R., & Jaffe, K. (1996). Attachment, caregiving, and relationship functioning in couples: Effects of self and partner. Personal Relationships, 3(3), 257277. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6811.1996.tb00116.xCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Carstensen, L. L., Gottman, J. M., & Levenson, R. W. (1995). Emotional behavior in long-term marriage. Psychology and Aging, 10(1), 140149. https://doi.org/10.1037/0882-7974.10.1.140CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Carstensen, L. L., Shavit, Y. Z., & Barnes, J. T. (2020). Age advantages in emotional experience persist even under threat from the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychological Science, 31(11), 13741385. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797620967261CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Carstensen, L. L., Turan, B., Scheibe, S., Ram, N., Ersner-Hershfield, H., Samanez-Larkin, G. R., Brooks, K. P., & Nesselroade, J. R. (2011). Emotional experience improves with age: Evidence based on over 10 years of experience sampling. Psychology and Aging, 26(1), 2133. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0021285CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cross, E. J., Overall, N. C., Low, R. S. T., & McNulty, J. K. (2019). An interdependence account of sexism and power: Men’s hostile sexism, biased perceptions of low power, and relationship aggression. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 117(2), 338363. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000167CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Curran, T., & Seiter, J. S. (2021). The role of relational worry due to COVID-19 in the links between video chat apprehension, loneliness, and adhering to CDC guidelines. Journal of Social & Personal Relationships, 38(6), 18691876. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407520985264CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Diamond, L. M., & Hicks, A. M. (2012). “It’s the economy, honey!” couples’ blame attributions during the 2007–2009 economic crisis. Personal Relationships, 19(3), 586600. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6811.2011.01380.xCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Donato, S., Parise, M., Pagani, A. F., Lanz, M., Regalia, C., Rosnati, R., & Iafrate, R. (2021). Together against covid-19 concerns: The role of the dyadic coping process for partners’ psychological well-being during the pandemic. Frontiers in Psychology, 11. www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.578395CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Eder, S. J., Nicholson, A. A., Stefanczyk, M. M., Pieniak, M., Martínez-Molina, J., Pešout, O., Binter, J., Smela, P., Scharnowski, F., & Steyrl, D. (2021). Securing your relationship: Quality of intimate relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic can be predicted by attachment style. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.647956CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Enestrom, M. C., & Lydon, J. E. (2021). Relationship satisfaction in the time of COVID-19: The role of shared reality in perceiving partner support for frontline health-care workers. Journal of Social & Personal Relationships, 38(8), 23302349. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075211020127CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Feeney, B. C., & Collins, N. L. (2015). A new look at social support: A theoretical perspective on thriving through relationships. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 19(2), 113147. https://doi.org/10.1177/1088868314544222CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Funder, D. C., Lee, D. I., Baranski, E., & Baranski, G. G. (2021). The experience of situations before and during a COVID-19 shelter-at-home period. Social Psychological and Personality Science. https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550620985388CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gable, S. L., Gonzaga, G. C., & Strachman, A. (2006). Will you be there for me when things go right? Supportive responses to positive event disclosures. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 91(5), 904917. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.91.5.904CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gable, S. L., & Reis, H. T. (2010). Good news! Capitalizing on positive events in an interpersonal context. In M. P. Zanna (Ed.), Advances in experimental social psychology (Vol. 42, 2012-14612-004, pp. 195257). Academic Press.Google Scholar
Gable, S. L., Reis, H. T., Impett, E. A., & Asher, E. R. (2004). What do you do when things go right? The intrapersonal and interpersonal benefits of sharing positive events. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 87(2), 228245. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.87.2.228CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gibson, A. F. (2021). Exploring the impact of COVID‐19 on mobile dating: Critical avenues for research. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 15(11). https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12643CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Girme, Y. U., Overall, N. C., & Faingataa, S. (2014). “Date nights” take two: The maintenance function of shared relationship activities. Personal Relationships, 21(1), 125149. https://doi.org/10.1111/pere.12020CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Girme, Y. U., Overall, N. C., Simpson, J. A., & Fletcher, G. J. O. (2015). “All or nothing”: Attachment avoidance and the curvilinear effects of partner support. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 108(3), 450475. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0038866CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Giurge, L. M., Whillans, A. V., & Yemiscigil, A. (2021). A multicountry perspective on gender differences in time use during COVID-19. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States, 118(12), 1aa. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2018494118Google ScholarPubMed
Glick, P., & Fiske, S. T. (1996). The Ambivalent Sexism Inventory: Differentiating hostile and benevolent sexism. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 70(3), 491512. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.70.3.491CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goodboy, A. K., Dillow, M. R., Knoster, K. C., & Howard, H. A. (2021). Relational turbulence from the COVID-19 pandemic: Within-subjects mediation by romantic partner interdependence. Journal of Social & Personal Relationships, 38(6), 18001818. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075211000135CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gordon, A. M., Tuskeviciute, R., & Chen, S. (2013). A multimethod investigation of depressive symptoms, perceived understanding, and relationship quality. Personal Relationships, 20(4), 635654. https://doi.org/10.1111/pere.12005CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gresham, A. M., Peters, B. J., Karantzas, G., Cameron, L. D., & Simpson, J. A. (2021). Examining associations between COVID-19 stressors, intimate partner violence, health, and health behaviors. Journal of Social & Personal Relationships, 38(8), 22912307. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075211012098CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Haydon, K. C., & Salvatore, J. E. (2022). A prospective study of mental health, well-being, and substance use during the initial covid-19 pandemic surge. Clinical Psychological Science, 10(1), 5873. https://doi.org/10.1177/21677026211013499CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Holmstrom, A. J., Shebib, S. J., Boumis, J. K., Allard, A., Mason, A. J., & Lim, J. I. (2021). Support gaps during the COVID-19 pandemic: Sex differences and effects on well-being. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 38(10), 29853009. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075211041539CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jayamaha, S. D., Girme, Y. U., & Overall, N. C. (2017). When attachment anxiety impedes support provision: The role of feeling unvalued and unappreciated. Journal of Family Psychology, 31(2), 181191. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000222CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Karney, B. R., & Bradbury, T. N. (1995). The longitudinal course of marital quality and stability: A review of theory, methods, and research. Psychological Bulletin, 118(1), 334. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.118.1.3CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Karney, B. R., Bradbury, T. N., & Lavner, J. A. (2018). Supporting healthy relationships in low-income couples: Lessons learned and policy implications. Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 5(1), 3339. https://doi.org/10.1177/2372732217747890CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Knobloch‐Fedders, L. M., Knobloch, L. K., Durbin, C. E., Rosen, A., & Critchfield, K. L. (2013). Comparing the interpersonal behavior of distressed couples with and without depression. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 69(12), 12501268. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.21998CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kroencke, L., Geukes, K., Utesch, T., Kuper, N., & Back, M. D. (2020). Neuroticism and emotional risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Research in Personality, 89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2020.104038CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lades, L. K., Laffan, K., Daly, M., & Delaney, L. (2020). Daily emotional well‐being during the COVID‐19 pandemic. British Journal of Health Psychology, 25(4), 902911. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjhp.12450CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lavner, J. A., Karney, B. R., & Bradbury, T. N. (2015). New directions for policies aimed at strengthening low-income couples. Behavioral Science and Policy, 1(2), 1324. https://issuu.com/behavioralsciencepolicyassociation/docs/bsp_vol1is2__lavner/1CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Li, Y., & Samp, J. A. (2021). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on same-sex couples’ conflict avoidance, relational quality, and mental health. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 38(6), 18191843. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075211006199CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Low, R. S. T., Overall, N. C., Chang, V. T., Henderson, A. M. E., & Sibley, C. G. (2021). Emotion regulation and psychological and physical health during a nationwide COVID-19 lockdown. Emotion, 21(8), 16711690. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0001046CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lucassen, N., de Haan, A. D., Helmerhorst, K. O. W., & Keizer, R. (2021). Interrelated changes in parental stress, parenting, and coparenting across the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Family Psychology, No Pagination Specified-No Pagination Specified. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000908CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mancini, A. D., Westphal, M., & Griffin, P. (2021). Outside the Eye of the Storm: Can Moderate Hurricane Exposure Improve Social, Psychological, and Attachment Functioning? Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin, 146167221990488. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167221990488CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
McRae, C. S., Overall, N. C., Low, R. S. T., & Chang, V. T. (2021). Parents’ distress and poor parenting during COVID-19: The buffering effects of partner support and cooperative coparenting. Developmental Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1037/dev0001207CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Merolla, A. J., Otmar, C., & Hernandez, C. R. (2021). Day-to-day relational life during the COVID-19 pandemic: Linking mental health, daily relational experiences, and end-of-day outlook. Journal of Social & Personal Relationships, 38(8), 23502375. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075211020137CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mikulincer, M., & Shaver, P. R. (2017). Attachment in adulthood: Structure, dynamics and change (2nd ed.). Guilford Publications.Google Scholar
Neff, L. A., & Broady, E. F. (2011). Stress resilience in early marriage: Can practice make perfect? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 101(5), 10501067. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0023809CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Neff, L. A., Gleason, M. E. J., Crockett, E. E., & Ciftci, O. (2022). Blame the pandemic: Buffering the association between stress and relationship quality during the covid-19 pandemic. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 13(2), 522532. https://doi.org/10.1177/19485506211022813CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Neff, L. A., & Karney, B. R. (2009). Stress and reactivity to daily relationship experiences: How stress hinders adaptive processes in marriage. Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, 97(3), 435450. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0015663CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Neff, L. A., & Karney, B. R. (2017). Acknowledging the elephant in the room: How stressful environmental contexts shape relationship dynamics. Current Opinion in Psychology, 13, 107110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2016.05.013CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Nguyen, T. P., Karney, B. R., & Bradbury, T. N. (2020). When poor communication does and does not matter: The moderating role of stress. Journal of Family Psychology, 34(6), 676686. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000643CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Noland, C. M. (2021). Negotiating desire and uncertainty on tinder during the covid-19 pandemic: Implications for the transformation of sexual health communication. CyberPsychology, Behavior & Social Networking, 24(7), 488492. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2020.0685CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ogan, M. A., Monk, J. K., Kanter, J. B., & Proulx, C. M. (2021). Stress, dyadic coping, and relationship instability during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 38(10), 29442964. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075211046531CrossRefGoogle Scholar
O’Reilly Treter, M., River, L. M., & Markman, H. J. (2021). Supporting romantic relationships during COVID-19 using virtual couple therapy. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2021.02.002CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Overall, N. C., Chang, V. T., Cross, E. J., Low, R. S. T., & Henderson, A. M. E. (2021). Sexist attitudes predict family-based aggression during a COVID-19 lockdown. Journal of Family Psychology, 35(8), 10431052. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000834CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Overall, N. C., Chang, V. T., Pietromonaco, P. R., Low, R. S. T., & Henderson, A. M. E. (2021). Partners’ Attachment Insecurity and Stress Predict Poorer Relationship Functioning During COVID-19 Quarantines. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 1948550621992973. https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550621992973Google Scholar
Overall, N. C., Chang, V. T., Pietromonaco, P. R., Low, R. S. T., & Henderson, A. M. E. (2022). Partners’ attachment insecurity and stress predict poorer relationship functioning during COVID-19 quarantines. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 13(1), 285298. https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550621992973CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Overall, N. C., Fletcher, G. J. O., Simpson, J. A., & Fillo, J. (2015). Attachment insecurity, biased perceptions of romantic partners’ negative emotions, and hostile relationship behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 108(5), 730749. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0038987CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Overall, N. C., Girme, Y. U., Lemay, E. P. Jr., & Hammond, M. D. (2014). Attachment anxiety and reactions to relationship threat: The benefits and costs of inducing guilt in romantic partners. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 106(2), 235256. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0034371CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Overall, N. C., & Hammond, M. D. (2013). Biased and accurate: Depressive symptoms and daily perceptions within intimate relationships. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 39(5), 636650. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167213480188CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Overall, N. C., Low, R. S. T., Chang, V. T., Henderson, A. M. E., McRae, C. S., & Pietromonaco, P. R. (2022). Enduring COVID-19 lockdowns: Risk versus resilience in parents’ health and family functioning across the pandemic. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 39(11), 32963319.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Overall, N. C., Pietromonaco, P. R., & Simpson, J. A. (2022). Buffering and spillover of romantic attachment insecurity in couple and family relationships. Nature Reviews Psychology, 1(2), 101111.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Overall, N. C., Simpson, J. A., & Struthers, H. (2013). Buffering attachment-related avoidance: Softening emotional and behavioral defenses during conflict discussions. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 104(5), 854871. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0031798CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Parrott, D. J., Halmos, M. B., Stappenbeck, C. A., & Moino, K. (2022). Intimate partner aggression during the COVID-19 pandemic: Associations with stress and heavy drinking. Psychology of Violence, 12(2), 95103. https://doi.org/10.1037/vio0000395CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pauly, T., Lüscher, J., Berli, C., & Scholz, U. (2022). Dynamic associations between stress and relationship functioning in the wake of COVID-19: Longitudinal data from the German family panel (pairfam). https://journals-sagepub-com.silk.library.umass.edu/doi/full/10.1177/02654075221092360CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pietromonaco, P. R., & Barrett, L. F. (1997). Working models of attachment and daily social interactions. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 73(6), 14091423. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.73.6.1409CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pietromonaco, P. R., & Collins, N. L. (2017). Interpersonal mechanisms linking close relationships to health. American Psychologist, 72(6), 531542. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000129CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pietromonaco, P. R., & Overall, N. C. (2021). Applying relationship science to evaluate how the COVID-19 pandemic may impact couples’ relationships. American Psychologist, 76(3), 438450. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000714CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pietromonaco, P. R., & Overall, N. C. (2022a). How far is the reach of personality in relationship functioning during COVID-19? Reply to Pfund and Hill (2022). American Psychologist, 77(1), 145146. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000941CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pietromonaco, P. R., & Overall, N. C. (2022b). Implications of social isolation, separation, and loss during the COVID-19 pandemic for couples’ relationships. Current Opinion in Psychology, 43, 189194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.07.014CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pietromonaco, P. R., & Overall, N. C. (in press). How will couples adapt to stress from the COVID-19 pandemic? A relationship science perspective. In Miller, M. K. (Ed.), The social science of the COVID-19 pandemic: A call to action for researchers. Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Pietromonaco, P. R., Overall, N. C., & Powers, S. I. (2022). Depressive symptoms, external stress, and marital adjustment: The buffering effect of partner’s responsive behavior. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 13(1), 220232. https://doi.org/10.1177/19485506211001687CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Prime, H., Wade, M., & Browne, D. T. (2020). Risk and resilience in family well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. American Psychologist, 75(5), 631643. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000660CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Racine, N., Hetherington, E., McArthur, B. A., McDonald, S., Edwards, S., Tough, S., & Madigan, S. (2021). Maternal depressive and anxiety symptoms before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada: A longitudinal analysis. The Lancet Psychiatry, 8(5), 405415. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(21)00074-2CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Randall, A. K., Leon, G., Basili, E., Martos, T., Boiger, M., Baldi, M., Hocker, L., Kline, K., Masturzi, A., Aryeetey, R., Bar-Kalifa, E., Boon, S. D., Botella, L., Burke, T., Carnelley, K. B., Carr, A., Dash, A., Fitriana, M., GainesJr., S. O., & Galdiolo, S. (2022). Coping with global uncertainty: Perceptions of COVID-19 psychological distress, relationship quality, and dyadic coping for romantic partners across 27 countries. Journal of Social & Personal Relationships, 39(1), 333. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075211034236CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Reis, H. T., Clark, M. S., & Holmes, J. G. (2004). Perceived partner responsiveness as an organizing construct in the study of intimacy and closeness. In Mashek, D. J. & Aron, A. P. (Eds.), Handbook of closeness and intimacy (2004-00238-012; pp. 201225). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers.Google Scholar
Sawada, N., Auger, E., & Lydon, J. E. (2018). Activation of the behavioral immune system: Putting the brakes on affiliation. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 44(2), 224237. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167217736046CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Schmid, L., Wörn, J., Hank, K., Sawatzki, B., & Walper, S. (2020). Changes in employment and relationship satisfaction in times of the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence from the German family Panel. European Societies, 23(sup 1), S743S758. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616696.2020.1836385CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Shariati, A., & Guerette, R. T. (2022). Findings from a natural experiment on the impact of COVID-19 residential quarantines on domestic violence patterns in new orleans. Journal of Family Violence. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-022-00380-yGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sidik, S. M. (2022). How COVID has deepened inequality – In six stark graphics. Nature, 606(7915), 638639.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Simpson, J. A., & Rholes, W. S. (2017). Adult attachment, stress, and romantic relationships. Current Opinion in Psychology, 13, 1924. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2016.04.006CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Simpson, J. A., Rholes, W. S., & Phillips, D. (1996). Conflict in close relationships: An attachment perspective. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 71(5), 899914. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.71.5.899CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sisson, N. M., Willroth, E. C., Le, B. M., & Ford, B. Q. (2021). The benefits of living with close others: A longitudinal examination of mental health before and during a global stressor. Clinical Psychological Science, 21677026211053320. https://doi.org/10.1177/21677026211053320Google ScholarPubMed
Smallen, D., Eller, J., Rholes, W. S., & Simpson, J. A. (2021). Perceptions of partner responsiveness across the transition to parenthood. Journal of Family Psychology, 36(4), 618–629. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000907Google ScholarPubMed
Sun, R., & Sauter, D. (2021). Sustained stress reduces the age advantages in emotional experience of older adults: Commentary on Carstensen et al (2020). Psychological Science, 32(12), 20352041. https://doi.org/10.1177/09567976211052476CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Tan, R., Overall, N. C., & Taylor, J. K. (2012). Let’s talk about us: Attachment, relationship‐focused disclosure, and relationship quality. Personal Relationships, 19(3), 521534. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6811.2011.01383.xCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Twenge, J. M., & Joiner, T. E. (2020). U.S. Census Bureau‐assessed prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms in 2019 and during the 2020 COVID‐19 pandemic. Depression & Anxiety (1091–4269), 37(10), 954956. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.23077CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Vowels, L. M., & Carnelley, K. B. (2020). Attachment styles, negotiation of goal conflict, and perceived partner support during covid-19. Personality and Individual Differences. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2020.110505Google ScholarPubMed
Vowels, L. M., Carnelley, K. B., & Stanton, S. C. E. (2022). Attachment anxiety predicts worse mental health outcomes during COVID-19: Evidence from two studies. Personality and Individual Differences, 185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2021.111256CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Vowels, L. M., Francois-Walcott, R. R. R., Perks, R. E., & Carnelley, K. B. (2021). “Be free together rather than confined together”: A qualitative exploration of how relationships changed in the early COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Social & Personal Relationships, 38(10), 29212943. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075211041412CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Waddell, N., Overall, N. C., Chang, V. T., & Hammond, M. D. (2021). Gendered division of labor during a nationwide COVID-19 lockdown: Implications for relationship problems and satisfaction. Journal of Social & Personal Relationships, 38(6), 17591781. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407521996476CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Westrick-Payne, K. K., Manning, W. D., & Carlson, L. (2022). Pandemic Shortfall in Marriages and Divorces in the United States. Socius, 8, 23780231221090190. https://doi.org/10.1177/23780231221090192CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Westrupp, E. M., Bennett, C., Berkowitz, T., Youssef, G. J., Toumbourou, J. W., Tucker, R., Andrews, F. J., Evans, S., Teague, S. J., Karantzas, G. C., Melvin, G. M., Olsson, C., Macdonald, J. A., Greenwood, C. J., Mikocka-Walus, A., Hutchinson, D., Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, M., Stokes, M. A., Olive, L., … Sciberras, E. (2021). Child, parent, and family mental health and functioning in australia during COVID-19: Comparison to pre-pandemic data. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-021-01861-zGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wiederhold, B. K. (2021). How COVID has changed online dating – And what lies ahead. CyberPsychology, Behavior & Social Networking, 24(7), 435436. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2021.29219.editorialCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Williamson, H. C. (2020). Early effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on relationship satisfaction and attributions. Psychological Science, 31(12), 14791487. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797620972688CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Williamson, H. C., Bradbury, T. N., & Karney, B. R. (2021). Experiencing a natural disaster temporarily boosts relationship satisfaction in newlywed couples. Psychological Science, 32(11), 17091719. https://doi.org/10.1177/09567976211015677CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Williamson, H. C., Karney, B. R., & Bradbury, T. N. (2013). Financial strain and stressful events predict newlyweds’ negative communication independent of relationship satisfaction. Journal of Family Psychology, 27(1), 6575. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0031104CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Zee, K. S., & Bolger, N. (2019). Visible and invisible social support: How, why, and when. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 28(3), 314320. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721419835214CrossRefGoogle Scholar

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure coreplatform@cambridge.org is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×