Spousal interference and relational turbulence during the COVID-19 pandemic

Knoster, Kevin C.; Howard, Heath A.; Goodboy, Alan K.; Dillow, Megan R.

doi:10.1080/08824096.2020.1841621

Cited by 27 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 22 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…They also suggest, however, that whereas prior work from non‐Israeli studies have found associations between all relational uncertainty sources and various of outcomes during COVID‐19 (e.g., Jones & Theiss, 2021 ; Lillie et al., 2021 ), in our Israeli sample each source of relational uncertainty diverged in its association with different facets of distress. A similar trend was found with regard to couple interdependence where, contrary to US‐based studies (Goodboy et al., 2021 ; Jones & Theiss, 2021 ; Knoster et al., 2020 ), only interference from a partner, but not facilitation, corresponded with psychological distress. It is possible that with the ongoing stress that characterizes the life in Israel both pre‐ and during the pandemic (Hobfoll et al., 2009 ; Pat‐Horenczyk & Schiff, 2019 ), Israeli couples' accumulated tension has led them to focus more on the negative, rather the positive facets of couple interdependence, noticing interruptions from partners more than assistance from them.…”

Section: The Israeli Contextsupporting

confidence: 68%

Relational uncertainty, interdependence and psychological distress during COVID‐19: A longitudinal study

2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Drawing on the relational turbulence theory, this study explored the associations of self, partner and relationship uncertainty, and partner interference and facilitation with psychological distress symptoms during the COVID‐19 stay‐at‐home orders. A longitudinal study of 313 individuals was conducted in Israel at three time points, spanning from the first lockdown (April 2020) and through the alleviation of the severe restrictions (June 2020). Multilevel modelling indicated divergent associations between the different sources of relational uncertainty and interdependence and somatization, depression and anxiety. Further analyses pointed to divergent findings regarding how change in self, partner and relationship uncertainty predicted change in somatization, depression and anxiety over the course of the study, depending on whether the three sources of relational uncertainty were analysed separately or simultaneously in the same model. Change in interference from a partner did not predict changes in psychological distress. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.

show abstract

Section: The Israeli Contextsupporting

confidence: 68%

Relational uncertainty, interdependence and psychological distress during COVID‐19: A longitudinal study

2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…It is likely that a different pattern of results would emerge for married or cohabitating couples with regard to interdependence processes, for whom it is unlikely that both partner facilitation and interference would decrease during this extended time of social distancing, working remotely, homeschooling children, etc. For married and cohabitating couples, interdependence processes are expected to play a stronger role in the experience of relational turbulence during a pandemic (Knoster et al, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relational turbulence from the COVID-19 pandemic: Within-subjects mediation by romantic partner interdependence

Goodboy¹,

Dillow²,

Knoster³

et al. 2021

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Relational turbulence theory posits that external changes to the relational environment compel romantic partners to navigate transitions by establishing new daily routines as interdependent couples. The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented transition fraught with difficult changes that have the potential to be especially disruptive to romantic partners’ daily routines as couples alter their patterns of interdependence and adapt their everyday lives. To study the pandemic’s effect as a relational transition, college students in romantic relationships ( N = 314) completed measures of partner facilitation and interference, negative emotions, and relational turbulence as they recalled what their relationships were like prior to the pandemic (January, 2020) and then reported on their relationships during the peak of the first wave of the pandemic in the U.S. (April, 2020). On average, negative emotions (i.e., anger, fear, sadness) toward interacting with partners and relational turbulence both increased from before to during the pandemic, and partner interference was positively correlated, whereas facilitation was inversely correlated, with negative emotions during the pandemic. Results of a within-subjects mediation model revealed that changes in relational turbulence were explained, in part, by a decrease in partner interdependence due to the pandemic. A direct effect of the pandemic on increases in relational turbulence was also discovered.

show abstract

“…On the negative side, stress was related to lower relational satisfaction only for the women with higher socioeconomic status, but not for those with lower socioeconomic status or for men [38]. Negative emotions and relational turbulence increased from before the pandemic to during the pandemic due to a decrease in partner interdependence and an increase in spousal interference [39,40]. Finally, the illness of a family member was associated with increased fear of COVID-19, anxiety, depression and stress [41] and adverse life events and perceived threat of COVID-19 affected the relational quality of same-sex couples by increasing complaint avoidance [42].…”

Section: Adult Romantic Relationshipsmentioning

confidence: 92%

COVID-19 and Romantic Relationships

Candel

Jitaru

2021

Encyclopedia

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Since the beginning of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted most people’s activities and relationships. Romantic relationships are a crucial source of fulfillment and emotional safety for many individuals. However, due to the risk of illness and the social distancing norms, human interaction, even inside one’s couple or family, suffered great changes. Some of these changes have the potential of disrupting people’s relational or psychological well-being, but they can also have positive impacts. On the other hand, one of the most negative consequences is the growing number of intimate partner violence (IPV) incidents. Considering all these aspects, therapy would be beneficial for those affected.

show abstract

Spousal interference and relational turbulence during the COVID-19 pandemic

Cited by 27 publications

References 22 publications

Relational uncertainty, interdependence and psychological distress during COVID‐19: A longitudinal study

Relational uncertainty, interdependence and psychological distress during COVID‐19: A longitudinal study

Relational turbulence from the COVID-19 pandemic: Within-subjects mediation by romantic partner interdependence

COVID-19 and Romantic Relationships

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About