University of Twente Student Theses
Is it us or is it covid? COVID-19 related stress and relationship quality among adult couples. A systematic review.
Vrublevski, Christina (2023) Is it us or is it covid? COVID-19 related stress and relationship quality among adult couples. A systematic review.
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Abstract: | The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global mental health, leading to widespread psychological distress. Disruptions like lockdowns and social distancing have affected couples' daily lives and altered their relationship quality. Despite growing interest in the field, there is a lack of research investigating the association between COVID-19 related stress and relationship quality over the three years of the pandemic. This systematic review aims to fill this gap by exploring the broader temporal scope and gaining a deeper understanding of the association between COVID-19 related stress and romantic relationships and the factors influencing changes in relationship quality. Methods The study used a systematic review methodology following the PRISMA guidelines. The search for relevant studies was conducted in May 2023. Studies that reported an association between COVID-19 related stress and relationship quality, satisfaction or marital satisfaction were included, and data extraction was performed to capture relevant study characteristics, outcome measures and possible moderators and mediators. The risk of bias in the included studies was evaluated using the JBI checklist for cross-sectional studies. Results The review included 5 studies, with a total of 18,486 participants, published between 2020 and 2023. Most studies used cross-sectional surveys and examined the association between COVID-19 related stress and relationship quality, satisfaction, or marital satisfaction. The results showed a consistent negative association between COVID-19 related stress and relationship satisfaction, as well as marital satisfaction, with some variations observed in different countries. Additionally, communication typologies and perceived partner dyadic coping were identified as significant moderators, influencing the association between COVID-19 related stress and relationship outcomes. Dyadic coping was also found to have a mediating effect on the relationship between COVID-19 distress and relationship satisfaction. |
Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
Subject: | 77 psychology |
Programme: | Psychology MSc (66604) |
Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/96943 |
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