HNSE-O2-2. Relationships During COVID-19 Pandemic: Measuring Economic, Social, and Public Health-related Consequences on Intimacy and Satisfaction

Adrianne Dizon¹
Faculty Mentor: Katherine Hertlein, Ph.D.^2
1College of Sciences, Department of Life Sciences
²Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry

ABSTRACT
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, couples dealt with tremendous challenges such as financial insecurity, social seclusion, and an onset of public health restrictions. The pandemic has exacerbated many existing and novel stressors affecting couple intimacy and satisfaction. Extant literature reveals financial strain and social isolation induced by a stressful event, like a health crisis or natural disaster, influences relationship contentment; however, behaviors towards public health restrictions have not been explored. The aim of this study was to evaluate how pandemic-related stressors, namely financial strain, social isolation, and public restriction behaviors, influence relational intimacy and relationship satisfaction. The study sample (N=160) consisted of mostly college-aged females (M=25, SD= 8.66) with an average relationship length of 4.31 years (SD= 5.36). Using a multiple-regression two-dependent variable model, the contribution of each pandemic-related measure to variance level was assessed while the junction of the three stressors was associated with intimacy and satisfaction. Results indicate combined COVID-related stressors had a negative association with relational intimacy and relationship satisfaction. Social isolation contributed the most variance (15%) to the level of relational intimacy and relationship satisfaction (R2= 0.151). A comprehensive discussion on the long-term implications of social isolation on couples is provided. Additional insight is presented on how couples and family therapists provide coping strategies and interventions for distressed couples.