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

This study focuses on the relationship between stress, individual and dyadi c coping, and relationship stability versus separation/divorce in a prospec tive longitudinal study over 4 years. 70 couples participated initially and completed questionnaires on the above mentioned target variables and relat ionship 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 u nderstanding relationship stability in the longer run of st relationship. S table-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 r elationship stability was possible with 69.1 % accuracy. Implications for p ractical preventive work with couples, derived from our findings, are discu ssed.