Dynamic associations between stress and relationship functioning in the wake of COVID-19: Longitudinal data from the German family panel (pairfam)

Abstract

Individuals all across the world experienced significant disruptions in their personal and family life with the outbreak of the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The current study investigated dynamic associations between stress and relationship functioning over time in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Perceived stress, relationship satisfaction, and relationship quality (appreciation, intimacy, conflict) were reported by 1483 young to middle-aged participants who were in a romantic relationship and lived with their partner in 2018/2019 and in May-July 2020 (a few months after the onset of COVID-19). Data were analyzed using bivariate latent change score models. Relationship functioning (satisfaction, appreciation, intimacy) showed small decreases from before to during the pandemic. Contrary to expectations, levels of perceived stress also decreased on average from before to during the pandemic. Changes in relationship functioning were correlated with changes in stress over time, so that participants with greater decreases in relationship satisfaction, appreciation, and intimacy and greater increases in conflict from before to during the pandemic showed lesser decreases/greater increases in stress. Higher pre-pandemic relationship satisfaction was associated with greater decreases/lesser increases in stress from before to during the pandemic. Pre-pandemic levels of other measures of relationship functioning or stress were not associated with changes in outcomes over time. Results add to the literature demonstrating that stress is closely intertwined with the functioning of intimate relationships. Furthermore, they suggest that greater relationship satisfaction may serve as a protective factor for stressful life events.

Keywords: COVID-19; Couples; german family panel; longitudinal analysis; relationship functioning; relationship quality; stress.

Figure 1.

COVID-19 related cases, deaths, and governmental stringency in Germany in 2020. Note. The graph shows the development of COVID-19 related cases and deaths, as recorded by the Robert Koch-Institut, and governmental responses in Germany, as indicated by a stringency index developed by Hale et al. (2021). This index aggregates information on 20 pandemic policy indicators to indicate the number and stringency of restrictions (e.g., school closures, restrictions on gatherings, face coverings, and stay at home measures). The study period (T2) is highlighted in red.

Figure 2.

Bivariate latent change score models for the associations of relationship satisfaction and relationship quality facets with stress over time. Note. The figure shows results from bivariate latent change score analyses of relationship satisfaction/three relationship quality facets and stress over time, pre COVID-19 to during COVID-19. RelSat = Relationship satisfaction. The subscripts 1 and 2 indicate time 1 (pre-pandemic) and time 2 (during pandemic). Covariates (age, relationship duration, and number of persons aged <14 years in the household) are not depicted in the figure for simplification. βs are standardized estimates. Bold font denotes significant coefficients. * p < .05. ** p < .01. *** p < .001.

Figure 3.

Correlated change in relationship functioning and stress from pre-COVID-19 levels to levels during COVID-19. Note. The figures show bivariate Pearson correlations between changes in stress and relationship functioning from before the pandemic (2018/2019) to during the pandemic (May–July 2020). Greater decreases in relationship satisfaction (a), appreciation (b), and intimacy (c), and greater increases in conflict (d) over time were associated with a greater increase/lesser decrease in stress from before to during COVID-19.