EMPIRICAL ARTICLE
Romantic relationship quality during the COVID-19 pandemic: The longitudinal associations with relationship loneliness and depression
Emily J. Charvat,
Matthew Ogan,
Jeremy B. Kanter,
J. Kale Monk,
Christine Proulx,
Corresponding Author
Emily J. Charvat
Department of Human Development and Family Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
Correspondence
Emily J. Charvat, 240 Stanley Hall, Columbia, MO, USA.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorMatthew Ogan
Department of Human Development and Family Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
Search for more papers by this authorJeremy B. Kanter
Department of Child and Family Studies, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
Search for more papers by this authorJ. Kale Monk
Department of Human Development and Family Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
Search for more papers by this authorChristine Proulx
Department of Human Development and Family Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
Search for more papers by this author
Emily J. Charvat,
Matthew Ogan,
Jeremy B. Kanter,
J. Kale Monk,
Christine Proulx,
Corresponding Author
Emily J. Charvat
Department of Human Development and Family Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
Correspondence
Emily J. Charvat, 240 Stanley Hall, Columbia, MO, USA.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorMatthew Ogan
Department of Human Development and Family Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
Search for more papers by this authorJeremy B. Kanter
Department of Child and Family Studies, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
Search for more papers by this authorJ. Kale Monk
Department of Human Development and Family Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
Search for more papers by this authorChristine Proulx
Department of Human Development and Family Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
Search for more papers by this author
First published: 29 June 2023
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.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT
We have no known conflict of interest to disclose.
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