Living with a spouse or partner was associated with lower risk of mental distress during the COVID-19 pandemic, but this relationship differed by gender and was moderated by material hardship.
Key Findings
Results
Women were more likely to report material hardship and mental distress than men during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City.
Data were collected between late 2020 and early 2021 from the NYC Longitudinal Survey of Wellbeing
Cross-sectional study design using chi-squared tests and logistic regression models
Gender differences in both material hardship and mental distress outcomes were statistically significant
The study examined these disparities separately for men and women to identify gender-specific patterns
Results
Individuals not living with a spouse or partner were more likely to report material hardship and mental distress than those who were cohabiting.
Chi-squared tests and logistic regression models were used to assess these associations
The pattern held across both men and women in the sample
The study distinguished between living with a spouse specifically versus living with a spouse or partner more broadly
Data were drawn from NYC residents surveyed during the pandemic period of late 2020 to early 2021
Results
Among men, both living with a spouse and living with a spouse or partner were associated with a lower risk of mental distress.
The association was found for two distinct cohabitation categories: living with a spouse, and living with a spouse or partner
Material hardship moderated the relationship between cohabitation status and mental distress among men
Logistic regression models were conducted separately for men and women
The moderating role of material hardship suggests that economic strain can alter the protective effect of cohabitation for men
Results
Among women, only living with a spouse or partner (not exclusively with a spouse) was associated with a lower risk of mental distress.
Unlike men, the broader category of living with a spouse or partner was the relevant protective factor for women
Living with a spouse alone did not show a statistically significant association with lower mental distress risk among women
This gender difference suggests that the type of cohabiting relationship matters differently for men and women
The analysis was conducted using logistic regression models on cross-sectional data
Results
Several forms of material hardship were associated with a higher risk of mental distress among NYC residents during the pandemic.
Multiple distinct material hardship variables were examined in the logistic regression models
Material hardship also functioned as a moderator of the relationship between cohabitation and mental distress, particularly for men
The study sample was drawn from the NYC Longitudinal Survey of Wellbeing collected between late 2020 and early 2021
The findings point to inequalities for disadvantaged groups facing compounding risks of hardship and mental distress
What This Means
This research suggests that during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City, people who were living with a spouse or partner fared better mentally than those who lived alone or without a partner. The study analyzed survey data collected in late 2020 and early 2021 and found that women and people without a cohabiting partner were more likely to report both financial difficulties and psychological distress during this period. Financial hardships, such as struggles to meet basic needs, were also independently linked to higher rates of mental distress.
The study found important differences between men and women. For men, both living with a spouse and living with any type of partner were linked to lower mental distress, but financial hardship weakened this protective effect. For women, only the broader category of living with any partner (not just a legally married spouse) was associated with reduced mental distress. This suggests that the nature of the relationship and gender dynamics play a role in how much protection cohabitation offers against psychological strain.
This research suggests that social and economic inequalities during the pandemic disproportionately affected women and those without partnership support. The findings highlight the importance of considering both relationship status and material circumstances when designing mental health support services or social safety net policies, particularly during large-scale crises like a pandemic.
Shen A. (2026). Living with a spouse or partner, material hardship, and mental distress among men and women during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City.. Frontiers in public health. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1794714