Do couples who play together stay together? A longitudinal dyadic examination of shared leisure, financial distress, and relationship outcomes
Research Report:
Research SummaryAPA Citation:
Totenhagen, C. J., Li, X., Wilmarth, M. J., Archuleta, K. L., & Yorgason, J. B. (2024). Do couples who play together stay together? A longitudinal dyadic examination of shared leisure, financial distress, and relationship outcomes. Family Process, 63, 210-227. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12869
Abstract Created by REACH:
This study examined whether couples’ shared leisure (e.g., shopping, visiting friends, going out) protected against the negative effects of financial distress on relationships and whether such associations differed between low- and high-income households. Longitudinal data from 1,634 newlywed civilian couples were drawn from a larger study at 3 time points, each approximately one year apart (i.e., T2, T3, and T4 of the larger study). At T2, husbands and wives each reported the frequency of their shared leisure, level of financial distress, and household income; at T3, their reports also included their marital satisfaction; and, at T4, their relationship commitment. Overall, shared leisure appeared to affect the association between financial distress and marital satisfaction and commitment differently for men and women and for low- and high-income households.
Focus:
Couples
Mental health
Other
Subject Affiliation:
Civilian
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Methodology:
Longitudinal Study
Authors:
Totenhagen, Casey J., Li, Xiaomin, Wilmarth, Melissa J., Archuleta, Kristy L., Yorgason, Jeremy B.
Abstract:
We examined whether shared leisure offers protection against negative associations between financial distress and relationship quality (satisfaction and commitment) for lower- and higher-income couples. We expected husbands' and wives' reports of shared leisure would be protective of the effects of financial distress (Time 2) on relationship satisfaction (Time 3) and commitment (Time 4) for higher-income couples (but not lower-income couples). Participants were drawn from a nationally representative, longitudinal study of US newly married couples. The analytic sample included both members of 1382 different-gender couples with data across the three sampled waves of data collection. Shared leisure was largely protective of the effects of financial distress on husbands' commitment for higher-income couples. For lower-income couples, higher shared leisure exacerbated this effect. These effects were only found at extreme levels of household income and shared leisure. When considering if couples who play together stay together, our findings suggest that it can, but it is critical to understand the financial situation of the couple and the resources they may have to support shared leisure activities. Professionals working with couples should consider their financial situation when making recommendation to engage in shared leisure, such as going out for recreation.
Publication Type:
Article
REACH Publication
Keywords:
financial distress, relationship quality, shared leisure
REACH Publication Type:
Research Summary
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