This master's thesis focuses on studying the experience of anxiety before, during, and
after the COVID-19 pandemic. The research sample is based on couples in romantic
relationships with pre-school children. The research primarily investigates anxiety in
romantic relationships. The theoretical part of the master's thesis defines basic theoretical
starting points, important for the research: COVID-19 illness, experiencing stress and
anxiety resulting from the epidemic, and romantic relationships through the lens of
attachment theory and parenthood. The challenges faced by romantic relationships during
the pandemic are also highlighted. Through a review of relevant scientific literature, the
thesis provides an overview of previous research conducted in this area. In the empirical
part the phenomenological method is used, and semi-structured interviews are conducted.
Data was obtained through descriptions of experiences with anxiety, based on the
interviews. The results show that the participants experienced more anxiety during the
pandemic compared to before and after it. Particularly people diagnosed with anxiety
disorders or people diagnosed with chronic anxiety. Anxiety was mostly triggered by
stressful events at work, fights with the partner, or fulfilling parental duties. A minority
of participants reported feeling anxious in their romantic relationship or transferring
anxiety to interpersonal relations.
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