Dyadic Coping, Stress, and Alcohol Consumption 1 RELATIONAL BENEFITS: THE POSITIVE EFFECT OF DYADIC COPING ON ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION By KIMBERLY GAIL GOULD

Objective. Dyadic coping is one way in which partners support one another and share coping responsibility in response to a stressor (Bodenmann, 2005). While there is some literature on the positive effects of dyadic coping in romantic relationships on health behaviors, less is known about the way in which it can moderate alcohol consumption. Furthermore, virtually nothing is known about dyadic coping as a positive moderator for alcohol consumption in response to relational stress. To investigate this, frequency of dyadic coping and drinking in response to relational stress were assessed in couples. Method. Participant sample included a total of 91 couples (N=182), ranging in age from 18 to 69 years old (M=26.8); participants must have been over the age of 18, in the first year of their relationship, and cohabitating. Participants answered questions regarding dyadic coping, relationship stress, and alcohol consumption. Results. Significant differences were found in levels of drinking when couples practiced dyadic coping in response to relational stress, as opposed to when couples did not. Specifically: Couples who did practice dyadic coping exhibited lower alcohol consumption when faced with relational stress than couples who did not. Results from this study may have clinical implications relating to couples therapy.