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

  • 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 and Personal Relationship, 38(6), 1800 - 1818. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075211000135
  • According to relational turbulence theory, major life transitions such as the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to instability in romantic relationships (i.e., relational turbulence), particularly because partners’ influence on each other can change during these transitions. Partners can influence each other by making daily life easier (i.e., facilitation) or harder (i.e., interference). This study examined how the pandemic has influenced individuals’ negative emotions (e.g., anger, fear, sadness) about their partner, perceived changes in their partners’ facilitation and interference, and relational turbulence. Civilian college students (N = 315) were asked to respond to all study measures twice: first, thinking about their relationship before the pandemic (i.e., January 2020); second, thinking about their relationship during the height of the pandemic (i.e., April 2020). COVID-19 may be partly related to greater relational turbulence due to less perceived partner facilitation and more partner interference.

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Research summaries convey terminology used by the scientists who authored the original research article; some terminology may not align with the federal government's mandated language for certain constructs.

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