Couples, Money, and Expectations: Negotiating Financial Management Roles to Increase Relationship Satisfaction

Abstract

How couples handle money has become a popular subject among scholars, practitioners, and the popular press. However, little is known about how finances should be treated within a clinical context. This study examined the financial management roles in which couples participate and their satisfaction level with these roles as well as couples' communication tactics surrounding money and their impact on relationship and financial satisfaction. Results suggested that having shared goals and values about money were a stronger predictor of relationship satisfaction than were communication strategies. In addition, satisfaction with one's financial management role participation may be more important than self-reported financial management roles each partner performs. In this study, financial management roles included 19 areas, including responsibilities such as bookkeeping, financial decision-making, and taxes.

Financial Influences Impacting Young Adults’ Relationship Satisfaction: Personal Management Quality, Perceived Partner Behavior, and Perceived Financial Mutuality

“…If so, then engaged couples may be happier because they focused on one goal (i.e., planning the wedding) and put aside concerns about future financial arrangements. However, Archuleta (2013) found that individuals who shared the same views as their partner about financial management roles, goals, and values reported higher relationship satisfaction. In a follow-up study using the same sample, Archuleta and colleagues (2013) examined the mediating effect that shared goals and values have on the association between financial satisfaction and relationship satisfaction.…”

“…Because shared views about financial values have been associated with higher relationship satisfaction (Archuleta, 2013), we further hypothesized that perceived financial mutuality would be directly and positively associated with relationship satisfaction (Hypothesis 2). Finally, we tested for the mediating effect of perceived financial mutuality on the association between the personal components of the comparison level (participant's financial management quality and perceived partner's financial behavior) and relationship satisfaction (Sabatelli & Shehan, 2004) …”

“…In contrast, this study examined these associations in a young adult sample. Further, past research typically focused on the specific financial tasks that were carried out by individuals acting as members of a couple (Archuleta, 2013;Archuleta et al, 2013). As suggested by SET framework, when individuals in a committed relationship engage in managing their finances, they also engage in an ongoing comparison between what they do and what they perceive their partner does.…”

“…A critical component of continuing relationship satisfaction among adult couples is the sharing of financial values and discussions about important financial issues (Archuleta, 2013;Britt & Huston, 2012;Kerkmann, Lee, Lown, & Allgood, 2000). In turn, higher relationship satisfaction contributes to the overall well-being of individuals, couples and families (Amato & Rogers, 1997;Dyrdal, Roysamb, Nes, & Vitterso, 2010).…”

Does she think it matters who makes more? Perceived differences in types of relationship arguments among female breadwinners and non-breadwinners

“…An understanding of partners' perceived roles in the relationship in the presence of changing income dynamics is necessary, especially concerning female breadwinners' perceptions of individual versus partnered financial management responsibilities. Archuleta (2013) suggested that when partners take on financial management roles that they enjoy, they are more likely to be satisfied in their relationships.…”