Stress, dyadic coping, and relationship satisfaction: A longitudinal study disentangling timely stable from yearly fluctuations.

Petruta P Rusu,Guy Bodenmann,Lorena Leuchtmann,Fridtjof W Nussbeck,Cheng-Shi Shiu

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0231133

Petruta P Rusu, Guy Bodenmann + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0231133

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Abstract

The aims of the present study are to analyze the associations of different forms of dyadic coping (i.e., own supportive dyadic coping = OSDC; perceived supportive dyadic coping provided by the partner = PSDC; common dyadic coping = CDC) with relationship satisfaction, and to investigate whether these effects differ depending on the amount of perceived stress. In 240 couples, the different forms of dyadic coping and stress of both partners were assessed annually across 5 measurement points. Data was analyzed by dyadic multilevel models, which allow for disentangling between-person (overall, timely stable) from within-person (yearly, time specific) variations. The results revealed that all different forms of dyadic coping enhanced overall and yearly relationship satisfaction. At the same time, relationship satisfaction depends on the amount of overall and yearly stress. Interestingly, for PSDC, we found that the more a member of the couple was supported by the partner yearly (time-specific PSDC) and the more the member was stressed overall (timely stable), the higher the member scored on relationship satisfaction. For CDC, we found that yearly CDC beyond the overall level of CDC interacted with the timely stable amount of stress. Dealing together with stress and perceiving the partner as helpful were especially beneficial for relationship satisfaction. Findings highlight the importance of addressing specific forms of dyadic coping in intervention and prevention programs for couples.

Highlights

Dyadic coping refers to the stress management process in the context of romantic relationships [1,2] and has repeatedly been found to be linked with relationship functioning and individual psychological and physical well-being of the partners [3,4,5]
The beneficial effects of support have been documented in both adverse, highly stressful contexts and less stressful contexts, there is limited research on community samples comparing the effects of different forms of dyadic coping on relationship satisfaction
The aims of the present study are the following: (a) to disentangle overall and yearly effects of supportive dyadic coping and common dyadic coping on relationship satisfaction in a longitudinal study based on data from a community sample, (b) to compare the associations of overall and yearly supportive and common dyadic coping with relationship satisfaction, and (c) to analyze whether the amount of overall and yearly stress influences the association between the different forms of dyadic coping and relationship satisfaction by investigating between- and within-level stress as a moderator in these associations

Summary

Introduction

Dyadic coping refers to the stress management process in the context of romantic relationships [1,2] and has repeatedly been found to be linked with relationship functioning and individual psychological and physical well-being of the partners [3,4,5]. In the context of clinical samples (i.e., couples suffering from illness), common dyadic coping appeared to be important with a stronger impact on long-term relationship-specific outcomes than other forms of dyadic coping [6]. The beneficial effects of support have been documented in both adverse, highly stressful contexts (e.g., couples coping with illness) and less stressful contexts (e.g., positive challenges, such as support provided to the partners in pursuing their own goals; see for review Feeney and Collins [7]), there is limited research on community samples comparing the effects of different forms of dyadic coping on relationship satisfaction (e.g., comparing supportive and common dyadic coping). The aims of the present study are the following: (a) to disentangle overall (timely stable, between-level) and yearly (time specific, within-level) effects of supportive dyadic coping and common dyadic coping on relationship satisfaction in a longitudinal study based on data from a community sample, (b) to compare the associations of overall and yearly supportive and common dyadic coping with relationship satisfaction, and (c) to analyze whether the amount of overall and yearly stress influences the association between the different forms of dyadic coping and relationship satisfaction by investigating between- and within-level stress as a moderator in these associations

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