(PS4-D85) Boom or Bust? Qualitative and Quantitative Indicators of Intimate Relationship Outcomes over the Course of the Pandemic

Past research suggests that intimate partners respond to major stressors in different ways, sometimes by hunkering down together and sometimes by splitting up. Couples living through the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States have faced a unique set of events that affect every aspect of daily life and they are likely to experience changes in relationship outcomes as a result. The current study evaluates relationship satisfaction over the course of the pandemic, both at the aggregate level and in couples’ own words.

The sample includes a total of 782 adults who endorsed being in an intimate relationship in which they lived at home together. The sample was 89.8% White, 1.2% African-American, 2.4% Asian-American, 1.5% Hispanic, and 3.3% Multiracial. A majority of the sample identified as female (84.5%), and about 84% endorsed a heterosexual sexual orientation, with 3.7% endorsing a same-sex orientation and 12.3% endorsing a bisexual orientation. The average age was about 40 years and the average relationship length was 15 years. Quantitative data were collected in April 2020 (Time 1), about one month later (Time 2), March 2021 (Time 3) and March 2022 (Time 4). Qualitative data were collected at Times 1 and 3. The current study analyzes participant responses to the Couples Satisfaction Index 4-item scale (CSI-4; Funk & Rogge, 2007) as well as to the open-ended question, “What changes have you noticed in your relationship as a result of the pandemic?”

Quantitative data from each time point were analyzed using separate linear mixed effect models. Results indicate that relationship satisfaction decreased significantly from Time 1 to each of Times 2, 3, and 4, with estimated mean decreases of 0.45, 0.49, and 1.00, respectively. Additionally, relationship satisfaction decreased significantly from Time 3 to Time 4, with an estimated mean decrease of 0.50.

Qualitative data from Times 1 and 3 were analyzed using a pragmatic coding approach. A codebook was created with a 4-person coding team and 25% of responses were double coded to allow for reliability calculation, which was acceptable to good across the board. A wide range of codes reflected a vast array of experiences that couples lived through during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, at time 1, 52% of respondents described changes in their relationships that were positive, and 60% of respondents described changes in their relationship that were negative. At time 3, about 68% indicated a positive change and about 65% indicated a negative change of some kind. Codes were grouped based on theme into five categories: stated emotion words, changes that were clearly experienced as positive, changes that were clearly experienced as negative, changes that were described with mixed emotional descriptors by different participants, and changes that were specific to parenting. Specific codes and example statements will be shared in further detail.

Interestingly, relationship satisfaction has been in a steady significant decline over the past several years, and yet, many partners report positive changes in their relationships. As we move forward clinically, it will be important to address key areas of repair for couples and to help them to capitalize on the strengths and positives that they have identified.