While being in a romantic relationship can relate to many health and relationship benefits, individuals in romantic relationships also can... Show moreWhile being in a romantic relationship can relate to many health and relationship benefits, individuals in romantic relationships also can experience high rates of romantic relationship stress. The literature has highlighted trust as having a significant influence on stress and satisfaction within romantic relationships. Long-distance relationships (LDR) are increasing in prevalence and cultural significance, and trust may be particularly important in LDR. The current study examined trust as a moderator of the romantic relationship stress-relationship satisfaction association, within a sample of individuals in LDR, and using the stress-buffering hypothesis as a theoretical framework. The PROCESS macro in SPSS was used to test the proposed moderation, and sample demographics and associations between key study variables were reported as well. The current sample was composed of 231 individuals. These individuals were predominantly female, white and college-aged (M=22.32 years old). High levels of romantic relationship stress were significantly, negatively associated with relationship satisfaction. Trust was supported as a moderator of this association, but in an unexpected direction: As trust increased, the negative association between romantic relationship stress and relationship satisfaction strengthened. Future research would benefit from examining causal factors and additional potential moderating variables in related models within diverse samples of individuals in LDR. Clinicians working with individuals in LDR or couples may aid their treatment planning in targeting stress-management skills and building adaptive levels of trust through evidence-based practice. Show less
