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Couple resilience to economic pressure
R D Conger1, M A Rueter, G H Elder
1Center for Family Research in Rural Mental Health, Iowa State University, USA.
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
|February 11, 1999
Summary
Economic pressure can harm marriages, but strong couple support and problem-solving skills can protect relationships. This 3-year study shows how to build marital resilience against financial stress.
Area of Science:
- Family Studies
- Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Economic pressure is a significant stressor in marriages.
- The family stress model explains how external pressures impact family well-being.
- Understanding protective factors is crucial for marital resilience.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the family stress model of economic stress on marital distress.
- To extend the model by examining spousal interactional characteristics as protective factors.
- To investigate the mediating role of emotional distress and marital conflict.
Main Methods:
- A 3-year prospective study involving over 400 married couples.
- Empirical evaluation of the family stress model.
- Analysis of interactional characteristics, emotional distress, marital conflict, and marital distress.
Main Results:
- Economic pressure increases emotional distress, leading to marital conflict and distress.
- High marital support mitigates the negative impact of economic pressure on emotional distress.
- Effective couple problem-solving reduces the adverse effects of marital conflict on marital distress.
Conclusions:
- The extended family stress model provides a robust framework for understanding marital dynamics under economic pressure.
- Marital support and effective problem-solving are key resources for couples facing financial strain.
- Interventions aimed at enhancing couple communication and support can bolster marital resilience.