Romantic relationship quality during the COVID-19 pandemic: The longitudinal associations with relationship loneliness and depression |
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| Authors: | Emily J Charvat Matthew Ogan Jeremy B Kanter J Kale Monk Christine Proulx |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Human Development and Family Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA;2. Department of Child and Family Studies, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA;3. Department of Human Development and Family Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA |
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| Abstract: | The COVID-19 pandemic created significant strain on both mental health and romantic relationships. Therefore, we examined longitudinal associations between romantic relationship quality, relationship loneliness, and depressive symptoms over 6 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. We surveyed 122 couples (n = 244 individuals) in approximately May, September, and November 2020. Using a dyadic mediation model, findings indicated that relationship quality at Time 1 was positively associated with depression at Time 3 for men, but not for women. A significant indirect effect of relationship quality on depression via relationship loneliness at Time 2 was found for both men and women. Self-mastery, or feeling in control of one's life circumstances, was an important covariate of women's depressive symptoms. Overall, these findings highlight relationship loneliness as particularly salient for mental health and demonstrate the importance of high-quality relationships for promoting well-being during stressful events, such as global pandemics. |
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| Keywords: | COVID-19 pandemic loneliness mental health relationship quality romantic relationships |
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