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Financial Stressors as Catalysts for Relational Growth: Bonadaptation Among Lower-Income, Unmarried Couples

Author

Listed:
  • Ashley B. LeBaron

    (University of Arizona)

  • Melissa A. Curran

    (University of Arizona)

  • Xiaomin Li

    (University of Arizona)

  • Jeffrey P. Dew

    (Brigham Young University)

  • Trevor K. Sharp

    (Deseret Mutual Benefit Association)

  • Melissa A. Barnett

    (University of Arizona)

Abstract

The FAAR model (Patterson in Fam Syst Med 6(2):202–237, 1988) posits that following a stressor, demands, capabilities, and meanings can contribute to bonadaptation (i.e., adaptation that promotes wellbeing). The purpose of the current study is to test how financial and relational demands, capabilities, and meanings are associated with relationship commitment and coparenting (i.e., bonadaptation) following a financial stressor. We used data from the Building Strong Families (BSF) sample (i.e., primarily lower-income, unmarried couples; N = 1396). First, results showed that predictors of coparenting were more numerous than predictors of commitment. Second, all facets of the FAAR model—demands, capabilities, and meanings—were evident as predictors of bonadaptation. Finally, comparing the results with the results of a previous paper (i.e., a nationally-representative sample of married couples; Dew et al. in J Fam Econ Issues 39(3):405–421, 2018), relationship maintenance behaviors and financial support were capabilities for both samples, whereas other capabilities and meanings were context-specific (e.g., relational support significant in Dew et al. sample but not BSF sample). These patterns suggest that although some of the avenues to bonadaptation may differ depending on the sample, it is possible for couples to thrive not just in spite of financial stressors but even because of them; that is, financial stressors can serve as catalysts for positive relational growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Ashley B. LeBaron & Melissa A. Curran & Xiaomin Li & Jeffrey P. Dew & Trevor K. Sharp & Melissa A. Barnett, 2020. "Financial Stressors as Catalysts for Relational Growth: Bonadaptation Among Lower-Income, Unmarried Couples," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 41(3), pages 424-441, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jfamec:v:41:y:2020:i:3:d:10.1007_s10834-020-09666-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10834-020-09666-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Melissa A. Curran & Emily Parrott & Sun Young Ahn & Joyce Serido & Soyeon Shim, 2018. "Young Adults’ Life Outcomes and Well-Being: Perceived Financial Socialization from Parents, the Romantic Partner, and Young Adults’ Own Financial Behaviors," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 39(3), pages 445-456, September.
    2. Shelly Lundberg & Robert A. Pollak & Jenna Stearns, 2016. "Family Inequality: Diverging Patterns in Marriage, Cohabitation, and Childbearing," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 30(2), pages 79-102, Spring.
    3. Robert G. Wood & Sheena McConnell & Quinn Moore & Andrew Clarkwest & JoAnn Hsueh, 2012. "The Effects of Building Strong Families: A Healthy Marriage and Relationship Skills Education Program for Unmarried Parents," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(2), pages 228-252, March.
    4. Jeffrey Dew, 2007. "Two Sides of the Same Coin? The Differing Roles of Assets and Consumer Debt in Marriage," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 28(1), pages 89-104, March.
    5. Linda Skogrand & Alena Johnson & Amanda Horrocks & John DeFrain, 2011. "Financial Management Practices of Couples with Great Marriages," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 32(1), pages 27-35, March.
    6. Jeffrey Dew, 2009. "The Gendered Meanings of Assets for Divorce," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 30(1), pages 20-31, March.
    7. repec:mpr:mprres:7321 is not listed on IDEAS
    8. repec:mpr:mprres:7578 is not listed on IDEAS
    9. repec:mpr:mprres:7579 is not listed on IDEAS
    10. Aimee Prawitz & Julie Kalkowski & Judith Cohart, 2013. "Responses to Economic Pressure by Low-Income Families: Financial Distress and Hopefulness," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 34(1), pages 29-40, March.
    11. repec:mpr:mprres:7580 is not listed on IDEAS
    12. Jeffrey Dew & Ashley LeBaron & David Allsop, 2018. "Can Stress Build Relationships? Predictors of Increased Marital Commitment Resulting from the 2007–2009 Recession," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 39(3), pages 405-421, September.
    13. Tyler B. Jamison & Lawrence Ganong & Christine M. Proulx, 2017. "Unmarried Coparenting in the Context of Poverty: Understanding the Relationship Between Stress, Family Resource Management, and Resilience," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 38(3), pages 439-452, September.
    14. Kristen Harknett, 2008. "Mate availability and unmarried parent relationships," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 45(3), pages 555-571, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Fenaba R. Addo & Xing Zhang, 2020. "Debt Concordance and Relationship Quality: A Couple-Level Analysis," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 41(3), pages 405-423, September.
    2. Melissa A. Curran & Ashley B. LeBaron-Black & Xiaomin Li & Casey J. Totenhagen, 2021. "Introduction to the Special Issue on Couples, Families, and Finance," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 42(2), pages 215-224, June.
    3. Ashley B. LeBaron-Black & Jeremy B. Yorgason & Melissa A. Curran & Matthew T. Saxey & Rachel M. Okamoto, 2022. "The ABC-X’s of Stress among U.S. Emerging Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Relationship Quality, Financial Distress, and Mental Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-16, October.
    4. Heather H. Kelley & Yoon Lee & Ashley LeBaron-Black & David C. Dollahite & Spencer James & Loren D. Marks & Tyler Hall, 2023. "Change in Financial Stress and Relational Wellbeing During COVID-19: Exacerbating and Alleviating Influences," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 44(1), pages 34-52, March.
    5. Xiaomin Li & Melissa A. Curran & Ashley B. LeBaron-Black & Bryce Jorgensen & Jeremy Yorgason & Melissa J. Wilmarth, 2023. "Couple-Level Attachment Styles, Finances, and Marital Satisfaction: Mediational Analyses Among Young Adult Newlywed Couples," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 44(1), pages 125-142, March.
    6. Kasey J. Eickmeyer & Wendy D. Manning & Monica A. Longmore & Peggy C. Giordano, 2023. "Exploring the Married-Cohabiting Income Pooling Gap Among Young Adults," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 44(4), pages 990-1006, December.

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