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Author: Huston, Sandra
Resulting in 2 citations.
1. Britt, Sonya L.
Huston, Sandra
The Role of Money Arguments in Marriage
Journal of Family and Economic Issues 33,4 (December 2012): 464-476.
Also: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10834-012-9304-5
Cohort(s): NLSY79
Publisher: Springer
Keyword(s): Divorce; Expectations/Intentions; Income; Marital Conflict; Marital Satisfaction/Quality; Marriage

Permission to reprint the abstract has not been received from the publisher.

Despite the paucity of empirical evidence indicating the impact of money arguments on spousal relationship outcomes, it is common belief that money plays a large role in the life of couples. This study used panel data from the 1979 National Longitudinal Study of Youth to examine how money-related arguments affect the marital relationship. Economic theory indicates that initial expectations about the marriage and variance in expectations are both important in predicting relationship satisfaction and divorce. Money arguments were modeled as a sign of the lack of investment in spousal-specific capital and were hypothesized to negatively impact relationship quality. Results suggest that money arguments are an important indicator of relationship satisfaction, but are not as influential in predicting divorce. Both the approach used to model money arguments and the empirical results can be used by marriage therapists and financial counselors to help couples understand and improve the benefits received through marriage.
Bibliography Citation
Britt, Sonya L. and Sandra Huston. "The Role of Money Arguments in Marriage." Journal of Family and Economic Issues 33,4 (December 2012): 464-476.
2. Britt, Sonya L.
Huston, Sandra
Durband, Dorothy B.
The Determinants of Money Arguments between Spouses
Journal of Financial Therapy 1,1 (2010): 253.
Also: http://jftonline.org/journals/jft/article/view/253
Cohort(s): NLSY79
Publisher: Financial Therapy Association
Keyword(s): Collective Bargaining; Financial Investments; Marital Conflict; Marital Satisfaction/Quality; Wives, Income

Permission to reprint the abstract has not been received from the publisher.

A commonly held view is that arguments about money are associated with marital problems, but relatively little is known about the nature of arguing about money within marriage. Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 (NLSY79), this study uses a collective bargaining approach to examine the role of money arguments in marriage. The sample (N = 1,371) consists of married women. A collective bargaining framework provides a context for understanding money arguments within the marital relationship. Results indicate that costly communication is the dominant predictor of money arguments, followed by level and proportion of wife’s income, and household net worth. Because results suggest that both communication and financial resources are important components to understanding money arguments within marriage, a combination of professionals trained in marital therapy and/or financial planning is required for couples interested in seeking assistance to increase their satisfaction and/or avoid divorce.
Bibliography Citation
Britt, Sonya L., Sandra Huston and Dorothy B. Durband. "The Determinants of Money Arguments between Spouses ." Journal of Financial Therapy 1,1 (2010): 253.