Marital quality and the marital bed: Examining the covariation between relationship quality and sleep

The majority of adults steep with a partner, and for a significant proportion of couples, steep problems and relationship problems co-occur, yet there has been little systematic study of the association between close relationships and steep. The association between steep and relationships is likely to be bi-directional and reciprocal-the quality of close relationships influences steep and steep disturbances or steep disorders influence close relationship quality. Therefore, the purpose of the present review is to summarize the extant research on (1) the impact of co-sleeping on bed partner's steep, (2) the impact of steep disturbance or steep disorders on relationship functioning, and (3) the impact of close relationship quality on steep. In addition, we provide a conceptual model of biopsychosocial pathways to account for the covariation between relationship functioning and steep. Recognizing the dyadic nature of steep and incorporating such knowledge into both clinical practice and research in steep medicine may elucidate key mechanisms in the etiology and maintenance of both steep disorders and relationship problems and may ultimately inform novel treatments. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.