It’s clear now that the COVID-19 pandemic will result in the worst U.S. financial crisis since the Great Depression. While the full scope of the financial fallout remains to be fully known — furloughs, job losses, and pay cuts have already hit many families hard.
In these financially challenging times, significant stress can be put on romantic relationships. Research has found that in times like these, it is even more important to show your partner love and support to contribute to relationship success. Its been found that the strongest relationships were those in which partners remembered to practice relationship maintenance behaviors, including respecting, being available, being supportive, and showing love and affection for one another.
Another takeaway of research is what works really depends on the context of each couple, something that works for one couple might not work for another. So, it is important for couples to keep lines of communication open during these stressful times to make sure the needs of both partners are being met.
Finally, it seems that practicing these behaviors can go a long way to ensuring relationship success for any couple, regardless of marital status and financial standing. And it is possible that some romantic relationships may grow stronger not just in spite of, but because of, financial challenges.
Financial stressors happen to everyone. They happen more often and to a greater extent to some people than others, but everyone experiences them. If you can use that stress as a catalyst to make positive changes in your relationship, it can be an opportunity to grow closer together, instead of having that stress tear you apart.
If you are finding that financial stress is putting extra pressure on your relationship, contact us to find out if counseling can help. We are offering secure, HIPAA-compliant video counseling over the internet for clients in Virginia, Maryland, and DC during this time of crisis.
Feel free to contact us for a free consultation, to learn about us and see how we can help.
