Hard times and hurtful partners: How financial strain affects depression and relationship satisfaction of unemployed persons and their spouses.

TLDR

The study examined how unemployment and economic hardship affect depression and relationship satisfaction in couples. Using longitudinal structural equation modeling of 815 recently unemployed couples, the authors tested how financial strain and partners’ depression influence social support and undermining, which in turn affect relationship satisfaction and depressive symptoms. Financial strain increased depressive symptoms in both partners, prompting withdrawal of support and more undermining, which further lowered relationship satisfaction and heightened depressive symptoms.

Abstract

The process linking unemployment and economic hardship to depression and marital or relationship satisfaction in couples was examined. Using structural equation modeling, the authors tested models in which financial strain and partners' symptoms of depression influence the behavioral exchange of the couples in terms of social support and social undermining and, in turn, the effects of support and undermining on relationship satisfaction and depressive symptoms. The analyses were based on longitudinal data from 815 recently unemployed job seekers and their spouses or partners. The results demonstrated that financial strain had significant effects on depressive symptoms of both partners, which in turn led the partner to withdraw social support and increase social undermining. Reduced supportive and increase undermining behaviors had additional adverse effects on satisfaction with the relationship and on depressive symptoms.