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Couples’ Communication About Financial Uncertainty Following the Great Recession and its Association with Stress, Mental Health and Divorce Proneness

Author

Listed:
  • Tamara D. Afifi

    (University of California)

  • Sharde Davis

    (University of Connecticut)

  • Anne F. Merrill

    (Citrix)

  • Samantha Coveleski

    (University of California)

  • Amanda Denes

    (University of Connecticut)

  • Ariana F. Shahnazi

    (University of Iowa)

Abstract

Economic uncertainty is typically stressful and conflict-inducing for couples. The findings from the current study, however, suggest that economic uncertainty can also strengthen marriages. The sample included 82 Latino and Caucasian married couples. The couples engaged in a stressful conversation about their economic uncertainty in the wake of the Great Recession. Many of the couples were resilient and even grew from their experiences with the recession. The couples’ resilience and risk when talking about financial uncertainty and stress were revealed in four communicative pathways: unifying, thriving, pragmatic and at-risk. These communicative patterns predicted self-reported and physiological stress, mental health indices and divorce proneness. In general, unified/thriving couples had higher levels of psychological well-being and less self-reported stress, anxiety, and divorce proneness compared to pragmatic and at-risk couples.

Suggested Citation

  • Tamara D. Afifi & Sharde Davis & Anne F. Merrill & Samantha Coveleski & Amanda Denes & Ariana F. Shahnazi, 2018. "Couples’ Communication About Financial Uncertainty Following the Great Recession and its Association with Stress, Mental Health and Divorce Proneness," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 39(2), pages 205-219, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jfamec:v:39:y:2018:i:2:d:10.1007_s10834-017-9560-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s10834-017-9560-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Terri Friedline & Zibei Chen & So’Phelia Morrow, 2021. "Families’ Financial Stress & Well-Being: The Importance of the Economy and Economic Environments," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 42(1), pages 34-51, July.
    4. Preston Morgan & HanNa Lim, 2020. "Depressive Symptom and Financial Conflict Relate Over Time Among Couples," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 41(3), pages 391-404, September.
    5. Lynsey K. Romo & Noah Czajkowski, 2022. "An Examination of Redditors’ Metaphorical Sensemaking of Prenuptial Agreements," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 43(1), pages 1-14, March.

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