Financial Declines, Financial Behaviors, and Relationship Satisfaction during the Recession

Abstract

Using a national data set collected during the summer of 2009 (N = 465), this study examines how financial difficulties are associated with sound financial management behavior and how sound financial management behavior is associated with relationship happiness among cohabiting and married participants. Findings suggest that financial declines were not directly related to sound financial management behavior, but that feelings of economic pressure were. Sound financial management behavior was positively associated with relationship happiness. Further, sound financial management behavior fully mediated the association between economic pressure and relationship happiness. It also moderated the association between financial declines and relationship happiness.