Written By: Sonya Britt, John E. Grable, Briana S. Nelson Goff, and Mark White
Financial spending behaviors and relationship satisfaction are generally thought to be linked for many couples. The current study examined how perceived personal, partner, and joint spending behaviors influence relationship satisfaction. The sample consisted of residents from several communities within one mid-western state (N = 347). Spending behavior items were used to examine the interrelationship between perceived financial spending behaviors and relationship satisfaction. Results indicated that partner spending behaviors, but not one’s own or joint spending behaviors, influence relationship satisfaction. Other factors associated with relationship satisfaction included self-esteem and financial stressors. Findings suggest a need for marriage and family therapists and financial counselors and planners to consider financial behaviors, namely spending activities, as an important element when providing counseling services. Key Words: couples, financial behaviors, perception, relationship satisfaction, spending
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