Mai Tran
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Research Mentor(s): Kira Birditt
Co-Presenter:
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Institute for Social Research / Other
Presentation Date: April 20
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: Session 1 – 10am – 10:50am
Room: League Ballroom
Authors: Mai Tran, Dr. Kira Birditt
Presenter: 81
Abstract
Past research shows that spouses have important influences on mental and emotional health. However, there has been little information to date on couples to understand how their daily life experiences are linked with stress level and overall emotional wellbeing, and there is also limited research on the mediating effect of lifestyle changes during the COVID-19 pandemic on the relationship between these variables. Therefore, this study aims to address this gap in literature and examine the links between daily experiences and well-being as well as the effects of stress due to COVID-19 on this relationship among cohabiting couples. We included a sample size of 30 couples aged 50 and older, with at least one person in the couple diagnosed with hypertension. Using detailed self-report data in a 5-day period wherein couples completed an assessment survey everyday, it was found that overall, higher levels of daily COVID-19 related stress was closely linked with negative affect and adversely related with positive affect for both genders. Moreover, also for both genders in cohabiting relationships, feeling more stress related to COVID-19 was also associated with feeling less satisfied with the relationship itself. In general, the findings supported the existence of a relationship between the effects of COVID-19 on stress and emotional wellbeing within cohabiting couples. Multifaceted knowledge in how these issues are linked can be used to optimize interventions and the targeting of support within partners to adaptively cope during this global health crisis.
Interdisciplinary, Social Sciences
