Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-2016

Abstract

Research suggests that economic stress disrupts perceived romantic relationship quality; yet less is known regarding the direct influence of economic stress on negative behavioral exchanges between partners over time. Another intriguing question concerns the degree to which effective problem-solving might protect against this hypothesized association. To address these issues, the authors studied two generations of couples who were assessed approximately 13 years apart (Generation 1: N = 367, Generation 2: N = 311). On average and for both generations, economic pressure predicted relative increases in couples’ hostile, contemptuous, and angry behaviors; however, couples who were highly effective problem solvers experienced no increases in these behaviors in response to economic pressure. Less effective problem solvers experienced the steepest increases in hostile behaviors in response to economic pressure. Because these predictive pathways were replicated in both generations of couples it appears that these stress and resilience processes unfold over time and across generations.

Comments

The published title is "Couple Resilience to Economic Pressure Over Time and Across Generations".

Copyright Statement

This is an In Press post-reviewed, pre-publication proof of this article. The final, definitive version of this document will be published online at Journal of Marriage and Family, published by Wiley on behalf of the National Council on Family Relations . Copyright restrictions may apply. doi: 10.1111/jomf.12284

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