Economic crisis and marital quality: The relationship between economic pressure and marital conflict and satisfaction

Abstract

Considering the economic crisis currently affecting Portugal, and based in the family stress model of economic pressure (FSM), the present study aims to investigate the mediating role of emotional stress in the relationship between the perception of economic pressure, and marital conflict and satisfaction. It was also sought to expand the FSM’s applicability, testing it in the Portuguese context, using an actor-partner interdependence model approach. Participants were 208 Portuguese couples, married or living together, with adolescent children. The results showed an indirect pathway between the perception of economic pressure and marital conflict and satisfaction, mediated by both spouses emotional stress. The results also showed direct effects between the perception of economic pressure and women and men’s marital conflict, as well as direct effects between the perception of economic pressure and men’s marital satisfaction, suggesting possible cultural influences.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17575/rpsicol.v29i1.985