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Locus of Control and Marital Satisfaction: Couple Perspectives Using Australian Data

Author

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  • Lee, Wang-Sheng

    (Monash University)

  • McKinnish, Terra

    (University of Colorado, Boulder)

Abstract

We investigate the effect of own and partner locus of control (LOC) on marital satisfaction using household longitudinal data from Australia. We also examine how the evolution of marital satisfaction over time depends on LOC. LOC indicates whether one believes that one's outcomes are more under personal control (internal LOC) or more under the control of external forces such as luck, fate or powerful others (external LOC). LOC orientation likely affects spouses' perception of marital problems and their willingness to utilize relationship-maintenance strategies when marital problems arise. We find that more internal LOC is associated with higher marital satisfaction and that own LOC matters more for marital satisfaction than spouse's LOC. Couples in which the husband is more externally oriented experience declines in marital satisfaction over time relative to couples in which the husband is more internally oriented.

Suggested Citation

  • Lee, Wang-Sheng & McKinnish, Terra, 2019. "Locus of Control and Marital Satisfaction: Couple Perspectives Using Australian Data," IZA Discussion Papers 12599, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp12599
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    1. Caliendo, Marco & Cobb-Clark, Deborah A. & Silva-Goncalves, Juliana & Uhlendorff, Arne, 2024. "Locus of control and the preference for agency," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    2. Andrew E Clark & Rong Zhu, 2024. "Taking Back Control? Quasi-Experimental Evidence on the Impact of Retirement on Locus of Control," The Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 134(660), pages 1465-1493.
    3. Tran, Dai Binh, 2021. "Locus of Control and Job Satisfaction in Australia: The Mediating Role of Job Perception," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    4. Awaworyi Churchill, Sefa & Munyanyi, Musharavati Ephraim & Prakash, Kushneel & Smyth, Russell, 2020. "Locus of control and the gender gap in mental health," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 740-758.
    5. Bucciol, Alessandro & Trucchi, Serena, 2021. "Locus of control and saving: The role of saving motives," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).
    6. David Boto‐García & Federico Perali, 2024. "The association between marital locus of control and break‐up intentions," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 83(1), pages 35-57, January.
    7. Fanghella, Valeria & Faure, Corinne & Guetlein, Marie-Charlotte & Schleich, Joachim, 2023. "Locus of control and other-regarding behavior: Experimental evidence from a large heterogeneous sample," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    8. David W. Johnston & Olena Stavrunova, 2021. "Subjective Wellbeing Dynamics," Australian Economic Review, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, vol. 54(4), pages 518-529, December.
    9. Rohde, Nicholas & Trivedi, Pravin & Tang, K.K. & Rao, Prasada, 2023. "Cognitive and non-cognitive traits and the intergenerational transmission of socioeconomic inequality," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    10. Nguyen Le Bao Ngoc & Dusanee Kesavayuth & Poomthan Rangkakulnuwat, 2022. "Effect of Locus of Control on Job Performance:Evidence from Australian Panel Data," Asian Journal of Applied Economics/ Applied Economics Journal, Kasetsart University, Faculty of Economics, Center for Applied Economic Research, vol. 29(1), pages 1-25.
    11. Hailemariam, Abebe & Sakutukwa, Tutsirai & Yew, Siew Ling, 2021. "The impact of energy poverty on physical violence," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
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    13. Awaworyi Churchill, Sefa & Smyth, Russell, 2021. "Locus of control and energy poverty," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).

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    JEL classification:

    • D1 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior
    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure

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