While it’s possible that being aware of the effects of stress could allow couples to correct their behavior and limit harm to the relationship, more research is needed to confirm this idea and to see how stress impacts people’s perceptions of their partner’s behaviors over time, Dr. Neff said.

“One direction would be to examine if the harmful effects of stress might be even stronger among couples no longer in the newlywed phase of their relationships,” Neff said. “But the fact that we found these effects in a sample of newlyweds speaks to how impactful the effects of stress can be.”

Earlier studies have found that for newlyweds in particular, unrealistic expectations at the start of a marriage can lead to less satisfaction and more conflict over time.

Research published in February 2017 in the Journal of Family Psychology has also linked high stress levels caused by issues with work, finances, and health to more intense conflict within marriages and more aggression and problematic behaviors between couples. The pandemic has likely exacerbated stress and heightened how people react to stressors, Neff said.

“For many people, the past few years have been difficult — and the stress of the pandemic continues to linger,” Neff said. “If stress focuses individuals’ attention toward their partner’s more inconsiderate behaviors, this is likely to take a toll on the relationship.”