Engaging in dyadic coping: Buffering the impact of everyday stress on prospective relationship satisfaction

Corina A. Merz, Nathalie Meuwly, Ashley Randall, Guy Bodenmann

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    43 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Stress originating within one’s relationship (internal stress), such as conflicts between partners, has been shown to have detrimental effects on relational longevity and well-being. Theoretical arguments suggest the need to examine the impact stress originating outside the relationship (external stress) can have on relational well-being. External stress can spillover into the relationship causing internal stress, making stress a dyadic versus individualistic phenomenon. Using data from 131 couples, we examined whether internal stress may mediate the association between external stress and relationship satisfaction and how dyadic coping may moderate this relationship within one year. Dyadic coping was found to decrease the impact of chronic external stress on chronic internal stress, particularly in women. Women who reported higher dyadic coping skills had a higher relationship satisfaction which influenced also their partner’s relationship satisfaction positively. Further research should focus on couples’ dyadic coping skills as a mechanism between stress and relationship satisfaction.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)30-37
    Number of pages8
    JournalFamily Science
    Volume5
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Jan 30 2014

    Keywords

    • chronic stress
    • dyadic coping
    • relationship satisfaction
    • stress buffer

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Social Psychology
    • Anthropology
    • Sociology and Political Science

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