The Role of Money Arguments in Marriage

Abstract

Despite the paucity of empirical evidence indicating the impact of money arguments on spousal relationship outcomes, it is common belief that money plays a large role in the life of couples.This study used panel data from the 1979 National Longitudinal Study of Youth (NLSY79) to examine how money-related arguments affect the marital relationship. Economic theory indicates that initial expectations about the marriage and variance in expectations are both important in predicting relationship satisfaction and divorce. Money arguments were modeled as a sign of the lack of investment in spousal-specific capital and were hypothesized to negatively impact relationship quality. Results suggest that money arguments are an important indicator of relationship satisfaction, but are not as influential in predicting divorce. Both the approach used to model money arguments and the empirical results can be used by marriage therapists and financial counselors to help couples understand and improve the benefits received through marriage.

Financial Influences Impacting Young Adults’ Relationship Satisfaction: Personal Management Quality, Perceived Partner Behavior, and Perceived Financial Mutuality

“…Because financial conflict may erode relationship satisfaction Britt et al, 2008;Britt & Huston, 2012;Diamond & Hicks, 2011;Kerkmann et al, 2000), we focused on identifying financial factors that might influence relationship satisfaction. Our analyses showed that perceived financial mutuality exerted the greatest influence on relationship satisfaction.…”

“…A critical component of continuing relationship satisfaction among adult couples is the sharing of financial values and discussions about important financial issues (Archuleta, 2013;Britt & Huston, 2012;Kerkmann, Lee, Lown, & Allgood, 2000). In turn, higher relationship satisfaction contributes to the overall well-being of individuals, couples and families (Amato & Rogers, 1997;Dyrdal, Roysamb, Nes, & Vitterso, 2010).…”

Money and Emerging Adults: A Glimpse into the Lives of College Couples’ Financial Management Practices

“…In fact, a majority of college students (90%) who did not have the financial resources to get involved in the same activities as their friends reported feeling financial stress, thus impacting their overall relationship with friends (e.g., less time spent together; Heckman et al, 2014). According to Britt and Huston (2012), college students who had greater perceptions of personal mastery and higher net worth reported feeling less stressed about their financial situations.…”

“…For example, Halliday-Hardie and Lucas (2010) found a direct negative effect of financial stress on relationship satisfaction. Britt and Huston (2012) stated that couples who argue over money are couples who have not taken the time to focus on each other. This is typically during the early stages of their relationship-an opportune time to build on their commitment as a couple.…”

Perceptions of Stepfathers’ Obligations to Financially Support Stepchildren

“…Differing expectations about fair distributions of resources are a common source of individual stress, and couple conflict in stepfamilies (Gold 2009;. Arguments over money have been found to reduce relationship satisfaction and increase the likelihood of divorce (Britt and Huston 2012), so supporting stepfamilies to work through the complexities of their financial situations and potentially differing expectations may benefit these families (Lown and Dolan 1988). One study found that only 20 % of stepfamily couples had discussed financial management prior to marriage (Coleman and Ganong 1989).…”