Spousal Relationship Change during COVID-19 in South Korea: A PPCT Model Analysis

Did the COVID-19 pandemic make spousal relationships better or worse? Sudden, large-scale shocks such as the pandemic may strain bonds and increase marital conflict, yet they may also strengthen solidarity within couples. Applying Bronfenbrenner’s Process–Person–Context–Time (PPCT) model, this study examines perceived changes in spousal relationships using two waves of data from 1,969 married individuals in South Korea (2021 and 2022). Most respondents perceived their relationships as stable, reflecting overall resilience, yet among those reporting change, improvement was more common than deterioration. Gender differences were salient, with men more likely to perceive improvement. Analysis results provide that egalitarian division of house chores (Process), individual attributes such as gender and socioeconomic status (Person), contextual pressures from childcare and infection concerns (Context), and financial stress and adaptation over time (Time) jointly shaped marital outcomes. These findings underscore the multidimensional and gendered nature of relational adaptation during societal crises.