Stress in marital interaction and diet behavior

Abstract

The research examines the effects of stress in the marital relationship on dietary behavior. The theoretical model predicted that the marital stress of inequality and role disagreement would lead to an unfavorable reflected appraisal and low self-efficacy. The latter two variables are predicted to be related to the dietary indicator of fat consumption. One hundred and fifty-five married couples were selected by a random area sample from the state of Iowa. Husbands and wives were interviewed separately in the home. The results supported the stress model. Marital interaction stress had an effect on diet as mediated by the reflected self (how one imagines they are perceived by significant others) self-efficacy (perceived control over one's outcomes). Also, interesting gender differences were found. For husbands, reflected appraisal was related to per cent calories from fat in the diet whereas for wives, self-efficacy was related to per cent calories from fat. The differences in part reflect the changing role of women.