Living through the pandemic together: Exploring the associations among couples' communal orientation, self-disclosure, and thriving

The present study tested several pathways detailed in the theory of resilience and relational load (TRRL) in the context of urban couples living together during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fifty cohabitating couples completed a baseline assessment and 7 days of daily diaries. Results indicated that, the more an individual or their partner reported being communally oriented within their relationship at baseline, the greater that individual's relational thriving each day. Results also revealed that, the more an individual reported being communally oriented, the more they viewed their partner as engaging in self-disclosure each day. Two indirect effects emerged, such that one's own communal orientation positively predicted their perceptions of their partner's self-disclosure, which in turn predicted greater individual and relational thriving. These findings and their implications for the TRRL, couples' communication, and coping with pandemic-related stress are discussed.

Considering Social Identity Threat Alongside the Health Belief Model to Examine Mask-Wearing Intentions of Black, Latinx, and Asian Individuals in the U.S. During COVID-19.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. public health officials have recommended various safety protocols to "stop the spread", and atop the list is wearing a mask. Individuals from particular racial groups have also contended with a surge of racial profiling and race-based discrimination that has positioned mask-wearing as a risky yet health-promoting behavior. Using the health belief model (HBM), this study considers how racism and health intersect by examining the emotions, behavioral intentions, and health outcomes of mask-wearing among Black, Latinx, and Asian individuals. Cross-sectional survey data from 521 participants from across the United States were collected and analyzed using quantitative analyses. Results did not indicate significant differences in mask-wearing intentions between racial groups as predicted by the health belief model constructs; however, group differences in experiences of racism did shape perceptions of and behaviors related to mask-wearing. Mask-wearing was also related to more positive emotional experiences, and social cues to action predicted intentions to wear a mask. Implications for encouraging health-promoting behaviors across diverse populations during public health crises are discussed.

Relationship quality and objectively measured physical activity before and after implementation of COVID-19 stay-home orders.

In a sample of 28 individuals cohabiting with a partner in NYC, Boston, or Chicago, this study tested whether implementation of stay-home orders to combat the spread of COVID-19 disrupted physical activity and whether high-quality romantic relationships buffered adverse effects. Participants provided FitBit data between February and October, 2020. Stay-home orders were associated with a reduction in daily step counts, B = -1595.72, p = 0.018, increased sedentary minutes, B = 33.75, p = 0.002, and reduced daily minutes of light and moderate physical activity, B = -25.01, p = 0.011; B = -0.72, p = 0.021. No moderation effects emerged.