Economic Pressure and Romantic Relationship Functioning within and Across Generations: Effective Problem Solving Skills As a Source of Resilience

Introduction: Economic distress undermines romantic relationship functioning and well-being (e.g., Conger & Conger, 2002); yet, positive interpersonal characteristics (e.g., planfulness, optimism, effective problem solving skills) may promote couple resilience during tough economic times (e.g., Donnellan et al., 2009; Masten, 2001). Given that: (a) indicators of economic distress (e.g., education, income) are often transmitted from parents to children; (b) qualities in the inter-parental relationship (i.e., parents' marriage) are often transmitted to adult children’s romantic relationships, and (c) parents’ adaptive coping responses in times of distress may foster resiliency for their adult children, it is imperative for researchers, practitioners, and policy makers to consider the family of origin as a conduit for children’s later socioeconomic and interpersonal outcomes.

Method: Romantic couples were participants in the Family Transitions Project -- a project that began in 1989 and continues during the present day (see Conger & Conger, 2002). G1 romantic couples (Generation 1: Parents) were married, biological mothers and fathers of G2 (Generation 2) target youth who were married or cohabiting with a romantic partner (N= 262) in the most recent waves of assessment. G1 measures were from 1991 and 1992, when target youth were on average 15 and 16, respectively. G2 measures were from 2005 and 2007, when targets were on average 29 and 31, respectively.

G1 and G2 constructs were identical and averaged between romantic partners. Economic Pressure (self-report) had three indicators: (a) unmet material needs, (b) inability to make ends meet, and (c) financial cutbacks. Negative Romantic Couple Interactions (observed) consisted of: (a) hostility, (b) negative communication, and (c) antisocial behaviors toward their partner during an interaction task. Effective Problem Solving (partner-report) was measured with eight items regarding cooperative, effective, and non-critical ways for managing problems (two indicators: husband and wife report). We used structural equation models (SEMs) to test our hypotheses.

Results: Results from SEMs demonstrated that effective problem solving significantly moderated associations between economic pressure and rank-order change in negative couple interactions for both G1 (β = -.48, p < .05) and G2 couples (β = -.62, p < .05). Furthermore, G1 economic pressure was predictive of G2 economic pressure (β = .19, p < .01) and G1 romantic couple interactions were predictive of G2 romantic couple interactions (β = .17, p < .01). Lastly, G1 effective problem solving skills were predictive of G2 effective problem solving skills (β = .47, p< .00).

Conclusions: Findings revealed that: (a) effective problem solving skills are a source of resilience for couples experiencing economic pressure; and (b) socioeconomic indicators, romantic relationship functioning, and resiliency are transmitted from parents to their children when grown to adulthood.  In light of these findings, we will discuss prevention research and implementation that addresses the social and environmental needs of couples and families undergoing tough economic times (e.g., the Great Recession) with a focus on promoting resiliency.