Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice, Vol 14(4), Dec 2025, 309-327; doi:10.1037/cfp0000267
The Strength and Strain Model (Slatcher & Selcuk, 2017) of marriage and physical health helps to comprehend the association between the quality of marital relationships and physical health. The article summarizes the interplay between relationships and physical health within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. We begin with a brief review highlighting the impact of marital strengths (positive components of marriage), marital strains (negative components of marriage), other stressors, and individual differences on the overall physical well-being of individuals and couples. Amidst the pandemic, the strength aspect gains prominence, with the partner’s responsiveness, satisfaction, intimacy, psychological well-being, and resilience, acting as buffers against the other pandemic-related stressors. Positive interpersonal processes have the potential to reinforce the immune system and alleviate the health repercussions of the pandemic. Conversely, the strain aspect might exacerbate the health vulnerabilities by comprising the functioning systems of the body and amplifying the health issues. We conclude with a brief discussion of the promising implications and future directions in the study of interpersonal processes and physical health. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)