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Review
. 2022 Feb:43:189-194.
doi: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.07.014. Epub 2021 Jul 24.

Implications of social isolation, separation, and loss during the COVID-19 pandemic for couples' relationships

Paula R Pietromonaco  1 , Nickola C Overall  2
Affiliations
Review

Implications of social isolation, separation, and loss during the COVID-19 pandemic for couples' relationships

Paula R Pietromonaco et al. Curr Opin Psychol. 2022 Feb.

Abstract

The broad isolation, separation, and loss resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic raise risks for couples' relationship quality and stability. Guided by the vulnerability-stress-adaptation model, we suggest that how pandemic-related loss, isolation, and separation impact couples' relationships will vary depending on the amount and severity of pandemic-related stress, together with enduring personal vulnerabilities (e.g. attachment insecurity), both of which can disrupt adaptive dyadic responses to these challenges. A review of emerging research examining relationship functioning before and during the initial stages of the pandemic offers support for this framework. We draw on additional research to suggest pathways for mitigating relationship disruptions and promoting resilience.

Keywords: Attachment; COVID-19 pandemic; Close relationships; Stress and coping; Support.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest statement Nothing declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
How the COVID-19 pandemic may shape relationship processes and outcomes. The framework (adapted from Karney and Bradbury, 1995) suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic will create a variety of external stressors involving loss and social isolation that may interfere with adaptive dyadic relationship processes, which, in turn, can intensify the impact of external stressors as well as lower relationship quality and threaten relationship stability. Couples in which one or both members have enduring vulnerabilities (e.g. attachment insecurity, depression) will be more likely to experience greater negative and fewer positive interactions, and the impact of external stressors may be heightened. The figure was adapted from “Applying Relationship Science to Evaluate How the COVID-19 Pandemic May Impact Couples' Relationships” by P. R. Pietromonaco and N. C. Overall, 2021, American Psychologist, 76 (3), p. 440 (https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000714), Copyright 2021 by the American Psychological Association.
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