Successful Negotiation of Goal Conflict between Romantic Partners Predicts Better Goal Outcomes During COVID-19: A Mixed Methods Study
Interdependence theory suggests that romantic partners become more interdependent as they spend more time together. Due to COVID-19, partners have been together for an extended period while coping with demands caused by the pandemic. This is likely to lead to instances of conflict between partners’ goals. Goal conflict is damaging for relationships as it continuously tests the commitment between partners. In a concurrent mixed-methods study, we investigated whether (negotiation of) goal conflict was associated with goal outcomes (progress, confidence, motivation) and what strategies partners used during the pandemic to negotiate goal conflict. Quantitative participants (n = 200) completed a daily diary for a week and weekly longitudinal reports for a month and qualitative participants (n = 48) attended a semi-structured interview. Results showed that higher goal conflict was associated with lower goal outcomes, and successful negotiation of goal conflict was associated with better goal outcomes. Qualitative analyses identified three conflict strategies (compromise, integration, concession). Conversations focused on both practical and emotional needs and included respectful communication and space from conflict (timeout or avoidance). The mixed-methods results suggest that goal conflict was relatively low during the pandemic and participants were often able to negotiate goal conflict resulting in better goal outcomes.