For the love of money: The role of financially contingent self-worth in romantic relationships

Abstract

Financial conflicts are among the top reasons for dissatisfaction and dissolution in romantic relationships. Beyond economic strain, however, few studies have examined the psychological antecedents of financial conflicts that contribute to relationship satisfaction. The present research examined whether basing one’s self-esteem on financial success was associated with greater perceived financial conflicts with one’s partner and worse relationship outcomes. A cross-sectional study ( N = 167), dyadic study ( N = 193 couples), and a 6-week diary study ( N = 74 couples) revealed that participants with financially contingent self-worth reported having more financial conflicts with their partner, which was associated with lower relationship satisfaction and perceived partner support. In a final experiment ( N = 337), participants who were led to expect many (vs. few) benefits of financial success based their current self-worth more on money, showed greater conflict responses to financial scenarios involving their partner, and reported lower relationship satisfaction and perceived partner support.

Money to Marriage, or Marriage to Money? Examining the Directionality Between Financial Processes and Marital Processes Among Newlywed Couples

“…Previous research suggests that financial behaviors and financial communication are associated with marital outcomes (e.g., Hill et al, 2017; Li et al, 2021). Despite theoretical (Archuleta & Burr, 2015) and empirical (Dew et al, 2021; Skogrand et al, 2011; Zagorsky, 2005) ambiguity regarding the directionality of these associations, the majority of scholars have assumed that financial processes predict relationship processes (e.g., Afifi et al, 2018; Dew & Xiao, 2013; Gajos et al, 2022; Hill et al, 2017; Li et al, 2020; 2021; Saxey et al, 2021; 2022; Ward et al, 2021; Wickrama & O’Neal, 2019). Using data from 1220 mixed-gender newlywed couples and through the lens of CFT (Archuleta & Burr, 2015), we tested the directionality between financial behaviors and marital satisfaction, between financial behaviors and financial communication, and between financial communication and marital satisfaction across two waves of data.…”

“…Broadly speaking, research supports CFT by suggesting that financial processes predict romantic relationship processes. For example, financial strain and financial conflict have predicted relationship/marital satisfaction and daily relationship volatility (Gajos et al, 2022; Ward et al, 2021; Wickrama & O’Neal, 2019). While the association between financial strain and relationship satisfaction seems to be robust (Falconier & Jackson, 2020), scholars have examined financial behaviors and relationship outcomes less.…”

“…Testing these longitudinal associations matters for several reasons. Finances are salient in adult romantic relationships (Gajos et al, 2022; Ward et al, 2021; Wickrama & O’Neal, 2019), including in newlywed couples (Lopes et al, 2020; Wikle et al, 2021). For example, if newlywed couples do not learn how to communicate well about finances with each other, these financial communication struggles may persist (Williamson, 2021)—putting marriages at greater risk of divorce (Dew et al, 2012; Hill et al, 2017).…”

Business Resiliency of Travel Agencies in the Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous (V.U.C.A) World

“…According to the Contingency Theory, different group situations require different leadership styles. To achieve group effectiveness, an organization must create employment conditions that match a leader's characteristics, as leaders have a generally fixed leadership style (Ward et al, 2021).…”

“…Another theory related to the current study is the Contingency Theory, which states that different group situations call for different leadership styles. To attain group effectiveness, an organization must construct employment conditions to match a leader's characteristics, as leaders have a generally fixed leadership style (Ward et al, 2021). The Contingency Theory's fundamental element is that there is no best way to lead an organization.…”