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Published Online:https://doi.org/10.1026//0084-5345.28.2.130

Zusammenfassung. Der längerfristige Einfluß von Streß und Coping auf die Partnerschaft ist bisher noch kaum untersucht worden. In diesem Artikel wird eine 4-Jahres-Längsschnittstudie dargestellt, welche Unterschiede zwischen stabil-zufriedenen, stabil-unzufriedenen und getrennt/geschiedenen Paaren bezüglich diesen Variablen untersucht. Die Streß- und Copingvariablen zum Zeitpunkt der Erstmessung (t0) werden als Prädiktoren für den Beziehungsstatus (stabil-zufrieden, stabil-unzufrieden, getrennt/geschieden) nach vier Jahren verwendet. An der Untersuchung nahmen zu t0 70 Paare teil. Nach vier Jahren konnten die Analysen zum Partnerschaftsstatus auf der Basis von Daten von 90 % der Ursprungsstichprobe durchgeführt werden. Die Ergebnisse der Untersuchung zeigen, daß stabil-zufriedene Paare zu t0 signifikant weniger Streß auswiesen als die Vergleichsgruppen und günstiger individuell und dyadisch mit Belastungen umgingen. Die Vorhersage des Partnerschaftsstatus gelang nach vier Jahren mit insgesamt 69.1 % bei den drei Gruppen (stabil-zufrieden, stabil-unzufrieden, getrennt/geschieden).


The influence of stress, and individual and dyadic coping on the stability of partnerships: A 4-year longitudinal study

Abstract. This study focuses on the relationship between stress, individual and dyadic coping, and relationship stability versus separation/divorce in a prospective longitudinal study over 4 years. 70 couples participated initially and completed questionnaires on the above mentioned target variables and relationship status. After 4 years data from 90 % of the initial sample could be used for computing differences between stable-satisfied, stable-distressed, and separated/divorced couples. Our results reveal that stress and coping might play an important role in understanding relationship stability in the longer run of a relationship. Stable-distressed and separated/divorced couples reported significantly more stress 4 years ago than did nondistressed couples and they displayed more dysfunctional individual coping and less dyadic coping. The prediction of relationship stability was possible with 69.1 % accuracy. Implications for practical preventive work with couples, derived from our findings, are discussed.

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