Citation

Vinokur AD, Price RH, Caplan RD. J. Pers. Soc. Psychol. 1996; 71(1): 166-179.

Affiliation

Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48106-1248, USA. avinokur@umich.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, American Psychological Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

8708998

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.

Language: en