Intergenerational Transmission of Romantic Relationship Risk and Resilience to Economic Pressure

Introduction: Economic stress is associated with marital instability, couple conflict, and lower relationship quality. Furthermore, economic hardship in the family of origin places youth at risk for economic hardship in adulthood and inter-parental discord is associated with romantic relationship difficulties in adulthood. To date, however, we know less about couple resilience to economic stress and the intergenerational transmission of positive adaptation to economic stress. A better understanding of this process has potential implications for prevention programs designed to promote healthier family relationships.

We used two generations of data from a prospective, longitudinal study (Family Transitions Project: Conger & Conger, 2002). First, we sought to determine whether economic pressure predicted increases in hostile romantic relationship behaviors for both G1 (parents) and G2 (offspring) couples (i.e., risk). We also examined the degree to which effective problem solving skills buffered the association between economic pressure and increases in hostile behaviors for both generations (i.e., resilience). Finally, we assessed the degree of intergenerational transmission for economic pressure, hostile romantic relationship behaviors, and effective problem solving skills.

Method: G1 couples participated in 1992 and 1994 and were the married, biological mothers and fathers of G2 offspring who were early adolescents at the beginning of the study. G2 was followed to adulthood and was assessed with a spouse or cohabiting romantic partner (N = 311) in 2005 and 2007. G1 and G2 constructs were identical and averaged between partners. Economic pressure (self-report) represented a latent construct of three indicators concerning the degree of economic stress. Hostile romantic relationship behaviors represented a latent construct of six observed behaviors enacted between partners during an interaction task. Effective problem solving (partner-report) represented a latent construct of eight items regarding cooperative, effective, and non-critical ways for managing problems with a partner.  

Results and conclusions: Results from structural equation models demonstrated that economic pressure significantly predicted increases in hostile behaviors for both G1 and G2 couples (model fit: χ² = 569.142; df = 331; CFI = .969; TLI = .965; RMSEA = .040). Yet G1 and G2 couples with more effective problem solving skills experienced no increases in hostility in the face of economic pressure. In terms of intergenerational transmission, economic pressure, hostile behaviors, and effective problem solving skills demonstrated modest continuity from G1 to G2. These findings support past research that documents intergenerational transmission of economic and relational risk; however, we extend current work in that couple resilience seems to persist across generations as well.