[en] How did couples in Belgium cope during the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic?
In this study, grounded in relationship science, we investigated in a descriptive manner
several factors that could affect how couples perceived individual and relational
wellbeing during this time. Specifically, we examined the associations between gender,
sexual orientation, parental status, and relationship duration on participants' selfreported
individual and relational well-being after the first lockdown (more generally
and more specific in response to COVID-19). Additionally, we investigated if relational
well-being predicted perceived change in individual well-being from pre- to post-
COVID-19 regulations. To test these hypotheses, self-report data was collected during
the Summer of 2020 in both the Dutch and French speaking part of Belgium. Data
from 679 participants suggested that individual and relational well-being only differed
based on parental status (and not by gender nor sexual orientation). Importantly,
parents reported lower relational well-being than participants without children, while
participants without children reported higher perceived increases in depression. People
that had been in a relationship for longer also reported lower relational well-being,
but this relationship was explained by other confounding factors. Relational well-being
buffered increases in individual distress that people perceived to have occurred pre-
COVID-19 regulations to after COVID-19 regulations went into effect. These findings
might inform practice and policy for individuals in a romantic relationship during the
COVID-19 pandemic.
Author, co-author :
Sels, Laura
Galdiolo, Sarah ; Université de Mons > Faculté de Psychologie et des Sciences de l'Education > Service de Psychologie clinique
Gaugue, Justine ; Université de Mons > Faculté de Psychologie et des Sciences de l'Education > Service de Psychologie clinique
Geonet, Marie
Verhelst, Pauline
Chiarolanza, Claudia
Randall, Ashley
Verhofstadt, Lesley
Language :
English
Title :
Intimate Relationships in Times of COVID-19: A Descriptive Study of Belgian Partners and their Perceived Well-Being
Publication date :
10 January 2022
Journal title :
Psychologica Belgica
ISSN :
0033-2879
Publisher :
Société Blege de Psychologie, Gand, Belgium
Volume :
62
Issue :
1
Pages :
1 - 16
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Research unit :
P353 - Psychologie clinique de l'enfant et de l'adolescent
Research institute :
R550 - Institut des Sciences et Technologies de la Santé
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