Does The Spouse Matter? A Scoping Review on Spousal Support for Working Population

Abstract

Purpose: The review aims to discover and report the literature on spousal support provided to working population (men/women) and the predictors, outcomes, mediators and moderators found in relation to spousal support. Theoretical Framework: Support at home (or spousal support) is vital for a married men or women so that they can invest more energy at work. The concept is proposed and supported by a number of theories, such as spousal support theory, human capital theory, and was utilized to choose only working population for this review. Design/Methodology/Approach: A scoping review research model was used to systematically search for and report the empirical literature on spousal support in context of working population. Scopus database was used to search for literature on the topic, with no limit on time and discipline of publication. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review (PRISMA) flow diagram for scoping review was used to show the search and filtering process used. Findings: A total of 706 empirical articles were obtained from Scopus database, out of which 699 articles were removed while matching the title and abstract of literature with selection criteria. Further, 149 articles were excluded because of incompatibility of full text article with eligibility criteria, this left us with 61 articles to be reviewed on the topic of interest. Research, Practical & Social implications: This study aimed to examine spousal support among working population (men and women) and its associated predictors, outcomes, mediators and moderators. Originality/Value: In the past, review has been conducted on spousal support but no effort was made to look for study characteristics, sample characteristics, or detailed methodological features, especially in context of working population. Hence, the present review will be first to give an initial idea on the way spousal support has been described, measured, the country where and when the topic has been studied most and other sample and methodology related choices.