A symposium has presentations and discussion by 3-4 experts on a particular topic. A discussant integrates and summarizes the papers, develops implications for policy and practice from the research, and facilitates audience discussion.

Papers listed below are included in this session.

Discussant: Casey Totenhagen
Moderator: J. Kale Monk
Co-Chairs: J. Kale Monk, Jeremy B. Kanter

Summary
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has caused and exacerbated feelings of distress for many US couples. Couples are simultaneously contending with financial instability, social upheaval, and associated ambiguities during the crisis. In times of adversity, romantic relationships may be a source of support (i.e., promoting happiness and overall health) or strain. The proposed symposium brings together a collection of papers using longitudinal data from across the pandemic, and diverse methodologies and theoretical frameworks to understand a) the long-term development of intimate relationships during the pandemic, and b) factors that either protect or exacerbate relationship distress during the pandemic. These findings are critical for basic research in understanding how couples navigate adversity and clinical and policy initiatives that may be useful as couples transition out of pandemic-life.

Objectives

• Understand the stressors facing couples during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Identify coping resources for couples during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Explore distinct experiences of couples during the COVID-19 pandemic

Subject Codes: COVID-19, relationships, stress
Population Codes: inclusive of adults, U.S., couples/coupled
Method and Approach Codes: structural equation modeling (SEM), longitudinal modeling, dyadic analysis