Can Stress Build Relationships? Predictors of Increased Marital Commitment Resulting from the 2007–2009 Recession

Jeffrey Dew (), Ashley LeBaron () and David Allsop ()
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Jeffrey Dew: Brigham Young University
Ashley LeBaron: Brigham Young University
David Allsop: Brigham Young University

Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 2018, vol. 39, issue 3, No 3, 405-421

Abstract: Abstract Although some studies have examined factors that can help married couples maintain their relationship quality during financial stress, few have examined factors that might actually help marriages flourish during financial stress. This study examined participants’ reports of their commitment increasing because of the 2007–2009 Recession using dyadic data from a national sample of married couples. We found that religious marital sanctification, relationship maintenance behaviors, and social and financial support from family and friends were all related to both wives’ and husbands’ reports that their commitment had increased during the Recession. Wives who faced employment- or housing-related problems reported increased commitment. Finally, the more economic pressure participants felt during the Recession, the more their relationship commitment increased.

Keywords: Marital commitment; Recession; Religiosity; Relationship maintenance behaviors; Social support (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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DOI: 10.1007/s10834-018-9566-7

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