The interpersonal benefits of goal adjustment capacities: the sample case of coping with poor sleep in couples

This research explores the link between goal adjustment capacities, coping strategies, and relationship satisfaction in the context of sleep problems within couples. Prior research has established a strong correlation between goal adjustment capacities (goal disengagement and goal reengagement) and subjective well-being. However, the social context of these processes, particularly within close relationships, remains understudied. Poor sleep, affecting both partners, significantly impacts relationship functioning. This study addresses the gap in research by examining how goal adjustment capacities might serve as a protective factor against the negative effects of sleep problems on relationship satisfaction. The researchers hypothesized that poor sleep, both individual and spousal, would negatively impact relationship satisfaction, but only for individuals with low goal disengagement capacities. The role of goal reengagement was considered exploratory due to its potential for both adaptive and maladaptive outcomes. The study also aimed to investigate the mediating role of specific coping strategies in the observed relationships between sleep, goal adjustment, and relationship satisfaction.

Existing literature shows a strong association between goal adjustment capacities and subjective well-being. Goal disengagement, the ability to withdraw from unattainable goals, and goal reengagement, the ability to pursue alternative goals, play crucial roles. Meta-analyses confirm the positive impact of goal disengagement on well-being, enabling resource reallocation to manage pressing demands. Goal reengagement can be adaptive or maladaptive, depending on the conduciveness of new goals to problem-solving. While past research focused on individuals, this study acknowledges the dyadic nature of stress and coping in romantic relationships, suggesting that goal adjustment capacities can be significant resources in managing individual and partner stressors. Poor sleep, operationally defined by low sleep efficiency, is a significant stressor affecting both individuals and relationships. A substantial portion of the population experiences sleep difficulties, and these problems are linked to reduced relationship satisfaction. However, research focusing on community samples and the interplay of individual resources in mitigating these effects is lacking.

This longitudinal study used data from 113 heterosexual couples (226 individuals) recruited from the Greater Montreal area via newspaper advertisements. Participants ranged in age from 21 to 82 years. Data was collected at two time points, approximately one year apart. Measures included the Goal Adjustment Scale (GAS) to assess goal disengagement and reengagement, the Brief Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for sleep efficiency, the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS) for relationship satisfaction, and the Brief Cope inventory for relationship-specific coping strategies. Actor-partner interdependence models with moderation, using the MIXED procedure in SPSS, were employed to analyze the data. The models controlled for age and socioeconomic status. Grand-mean centering was used for predictor variables. Simple slope analyses were conducted to explore significant interaction effects. Exploratory mediation analyses, using parametric bootstrapping, examined the role of specific coping strategies in mediating the relationships between sleep, goal adjustment, and relationship satisfaction. Data was screened for outliers and missing data was handled using mean imputation. The final sample did not differ significantly from the initial sample in terms of sleep, goal adjustment, and relationship satisfaction; however, excluded participants were younger and had lower socioeconomic status, and higher levels of some coping strategies.

Analyses revealed that goal disengagement buffered individuals against the negative effects of poor spousal sleep on relationship satisfaction [95% CI B (−1.17, −0.12)]. This effect was partially mediated by increases in actor active coping [95% CI B (−0.32, −0.02)] and decreases in partner self-blame [95% CI B (−0.28, −0.01)]. Conversely, goal reengagement was associated with decreased relationship satisfaction in response to poor personal sleep [95% CI B (0.59, 1.79)], partly explained by increases in actor behavioral disengagement [95% CI B (0.05, 0.41)]. Simple slope analyses showed that the adverse effects of poor sleep (spousal or personal) were stronger for individuals with low levels of the relevant goal adjustment capacity (disengagement or reengagement). The study also found that changes in active coping and self-blame were important mediators in the relationship between goal disengagement and relationship satisfaction. For goal reengagement, behavioral disengagement acted as a significant mediator. Higher levels of active coping were associated with better relationship satisfaction, while higher levels of self-blame and behavioral disengagement were associated with lower satisfaction.

The findings underscore the importance of considering both individual and partner factors when studying the impact of stress and coping on relationship satisfaction. Goal disengagement proved to be a protective resource in the context of spousal sleep problems, allowing individuals to redirect resources to manage the stressor and maintain relationship well-being. This was mediated by the utilization of adaptive coping mechanisms such as active coping and reduced self-blame. In contrast, goal reengagement proved maladaptive when dealing with personal sleep problems. The pursuit of new goals, in this context, seemed to lead to resource depletion and relationship disengagement. This highlights the importance of the specific coping strategies employed in response to stress. Adaptive coping strategies are crucial for maintaining relationship satisfaction, while maladaptive strategies can exacerbate negative outcomes.

This study provides novel insights into the interpersonal dynamics of goal adjustment and coping in romantic relationships, particularly concerning sleep problems. Goal disengagement acts as a protective factor against the negative consequences of spousal sleep issues, while goal reengagement can be detrimental when faced with personal sleep problems. Future research should investigate the specific goals individuals abandon or adopt in response to sleep problems, use larger samples and longer follow-up periods to strengthen conclusions, and explore causal relationships through experimental designs. Additionally, investigating the interaction between goal adjustment, coping, and other aspects of well-being, such as physical and mental health, would provide a more comprehensive understanding of these processes.

The study's relatively small sample size and short follow-up period limit the generalizability of the findings. The recruitment method might have introduced a selection bias towards a more educated sample. The correlational nature of the study does not allow for causal inferences. Future studies should address these limitations by using larger, more diverse samples with longer follow-up periods and employing experimental methodologies to establish causal relationships.