Relacionamentos românticos frente à adversidade: estudos sobre os transtornos do neurodesenvolvimento e a Covid-19

Abstract

The phenomenon of social relationships is a central part of human existence, and close relationships have long been pointed out as an important protective factor with regard to mental health. Some mental disorders, however, seem to present a problematic pattern of relationships, as seems to be the case with some Neurodevelopmental Disorders, such as Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Thus, in this work, we proposed to observe the relationship between romantic relationships, stress and mental health, as well as the particularities associated with these disorders, through 3 studies. Study 1 points to a variation in marital status depending on the symptoms of Neurodevelopmental Disorders, so that the rate of individuals who had never been married was higher among those with ASD traits, while in the group of individuals with higher ADHD symptoms we found a higher divorce rate. In addition, those with higher ADHD symptoms and higher symptoms of both disorders had greater intensity of passionate love. Study 2, conducted during the earlier stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, pointed to a positive effect of relationships on the mood of participants, and to a moderating effect of responsiveness in the relationship between stress and mental health among individuals in a relationship but who did not cohabit. One year later, these participants were re-evaluated for a follow-up, composing the third study. The longitudinal analyses point to an increase in social and work-related stressors caused by the pandemic, but also a greater relationship satisfaction and partner perceived responsiveness. In addition, we observed an improvement in the participants' mood, with an effect of marital status, with married/cohabiting individuals showing a more pronounced improvement in mood, when compared to single individuals. Taken together, the results of our studies reinforce the relevance of various types of affective relationships in the general well-being and mental health of adults and the importance of thoroughly investigating which mechanisms would be contributing negatively to the relationship between neurodevelopmental disorders and the development and maintenance of loving relationships.