How daily life dynamics of stress and influence shape relationship satisfaction in couples living with the effects of a stroke

Objective: Significant health events such as a stroke not only impact the individual themselves but also significant others such as partners. This study examines the daily life associations between stress and relationship satisfaction in couples’ post-stroke, and the potential buffering effect of perceiving equal relationship influence. Methods: Multilevel modelling was used to analyze data from 85 Canadian couples (170 individuals, M age = 66.95, SD age = 9.75, Range = 33-88, 50% Women, 82.4% White) in which at least one partner had experienced a stroke. Both members of the dyads provided simultaneous stress and relationship satisfaction rating for up to 14 consecutive days. Relationship influence was measured once. We fit three nested two-level actor-partner interdependence models. Results: Elevated stress was associated with lower same day relationship satisfaction at both the within- and between-person levels. Furthermore, higher daily partner stress was associated with lower actor relationship satisfaction on the same day, over and above own daily stress. Finally, equal relationship influence buffered the negative effects of partner stress on relationship satisfaction for stroke survivors. Discussion: This study highlights the complex interplay between daily stress, relationship satisfaction, and relationship influence in couples living with the effects of a stroke. Findings underscore the importance of considering the balance of power in relationships, as stroke survivors and their partners face distinct challenges that shape their daily relational experiences.