P-578 Interactive Effects of Relationship Satisfaction and Social Support on stress: a dyadic study
Authors: Fernandes M I , Martins M , Pedro J 
Published: June 2023

Study question

Does relationship satisfaction and social support demonstrate actor and partner effects on perceived stress, and is this relationship moderated by reproductive status?

Summary answer

No significant partner effects were found. Relationship satisfaction is related to one’s stress. Reproductive status moderates the relationship between one’s relationship satisfaction and one’s stress.

What is known already

Infertility affects around 15% couples and there seems to be a growing number of couples experiencing infertility. The inability to conceive is experienced by the couple as a stressful situation and should be addressed as a shared problem. Social support seems to be a protective factor for infertility-related stress and correlates directly with individual stress and partner stress among infertile couples. Also, relationship satisfaction has a significant impact on stress and adjustment to infertility, suggesting that low levels of relationship satisfaction predict significant stress levels in infertile women.

Study design, size, duration

This study included 213 heterosexual couples. The participants answered a questionnaire that included self-reported measures for perceived stress, relationship stress and received social support. Data collection was conducted online between October 2016 and October 2018 (detailed information [removed for blind review]).

Participants/materials, setting, methods

This study included 213 heterosexual couples in a relationship, with no children in the current relationship and the women’s age was between 20 and 42 years old. Both partners completed the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS) and the 2-way Social Support Scale (2-way SSS). Statistical analyses were conducted, and the dyadic analyses were conducted using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) and the Actor-Partner Interdependence Moderation Model (APIMoM).

Main results and the role of chance

A total of 213 couples completed the questionnaire and 45.9% wanted to have children in the future, 8.7% are trying to conceive without an infertility diagnosis and 45.5% received an infertility diagnosis.

None of the partner effects were significant, (p &gt;.05), indicating the absence of a significant association between relationship satisfaction and social support from one member and their partner’s stress. No significant actor effects were found for neither sex (p &gt;.05), regarding social support.

There were significant actor effects for both partners regarding relationship satisfaction, indicating that female and male relationship satisfaction is negatively associated with the stress perceived by one’s member (women: b = - .51, SE = .12, Z = -4.23, p &lt;.001; men: b = .45, SE = .13, Z = -3.60, p &lt;.001).

The reproductive status moderates the relationship between female relationship and female stress (b = -.31, SE = .06, Z = -5.41, p &lt;.001, β = -.16) and also between male relationship satisfaction and male perceived stress (b = -.26, SE = .06, Z = 4.30, p &lt;.001, β = -.27).

Limitations, reasons for caution

The methodological design does not allow inferential causes. The sample may not be representative of the national population, restricting generalizations. Other variables that may have a role in influencing the ones considered, were not included. Only heterosexual couples were considered, which represents a limitation in distinct dynamics.

Wider implications of the findings

Since the romantic relationship can be protective of stress, it becomes relevant that psychological counselling focuses on the quality of marital relationships. It would be ideal for the family planning consultation to inform the importance of both couple members’ involvement to screen couples in need of psychological support.

Trial registration number

n.a.