Search

Higher credit scores have unique financial benefits that may aid in emerging adults’ efforts toward financial independence. Yet, it is unknown if higher credit scores may also yield romantic relationship benefits. In a sample of 916 U.S. emerging adults, we used structural equation modeling to test the indirect associations between credit score and romantic relationship quality. Credit score was positively associated with financial self-efficacy and negatively associated with financial deception. Additionally, credit score was indirectly associated with romantic relationship quality through financial self-efficacy and financial deception. We encourage educators and clinicians working with emerging adults in romantic relationships to help these emerging adults learn how to establish credit and raise their credit scores, which might improve financial and relational outcomes.

Utilizing a sample of 4182 U.S. emerging adults and structural equation modeling, we examined how parent financial socialization received during childhood and adolescence is associated with mental health in emerging adulthood and whether locus of control is an intervening variable. Financial socialization was negatively associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms, and positively associated with life satisfaction. Indirect pathways were found through locus of control. That is, emerging adults who had received better financial socialization were more likely to report an internal locus of control and thus were less likely to be experiencing anxiety and depressive symptoms and more likely to be satisfied with life. These findings provide educators with further evidence of the importance of parent financial socialization, being associated with not only financial health but also mental health. Clinicians of emerging adults may consider financial education and internal locus of control development as intervention points for mental health improvement.

Emerging adults lack many basic financial capabilities. To avoid conflict that may come from these deficiencies, some emerging adults may financially deceive their romantic partner. However, little is known about financial deception in emerging adult romantic relationships. Through the lenses of two theoretical frameworks, we test whether financial deception intervenes the associations of couple financial communication, financial socialization, and similarity of financial values with romantic relationship flourishing in a sample of 1,950 U.S. emerging adults. Results indicate that couple financial communication, similarity of financial values, and financial socialization may contribute positively toward romantic relationship flourishing. However, financial socialization and financial deception may contribute negatively toward romantic relationship flourishing. Findings are discussed in light of the theoretical frameworks utilized, implications for clinicians and educators are identified, and directions for future research are presented. In summary, being less than fully honest about finances may have implications for emerging adults in romantic relationships.

While a plethora of research has found that parent financial socialization during childhood and adolescence is linked with financial outcomes in emerging adulthood, recent literature suggests that financial socialization may also impact romantic relationship outcomes in emerging adulthood. Utilizing a sample of 1,950 U.S. emerging adults, we test whether retrospectively recalled parent financial socialization is associated with romantic relationship flourishing and whether this association is mediated by financial behaviors and financial distress. We found that financial socialization was positively associated with financial behaviors and relationship flourishing and was negatively associated with financial distress. Further, financial behaviors partially mediated the association between financial socialization and relationship flourishing, while financial distress did not mediate the association. Together with previous literature, these findings provide useful information for therapists and educators in their pursuit to promote robust parent financial socialization in childhood and adolescence and both financial and relational well-being in emerging adulthood.

Research from the American Psychological Association suggests that approximately 67% of U.S. adults are getting more or less sleep than desired, and over 80% of U.S. adults ages 18–43 are stressed about finances. Cross-sectional evidence suggests that there may be a connection between the two. That is, some cross-sectional research suggests a contemporaneous association between sleep quality and finances. Using two waves of newlywed dyadic data (N = 1497 couples), we estimated a longitudinal structural equation model to test actor–partner associations between husbands’ and wives’ sleep quality and financial management behaviors. In these associations, we examined husbands’ and wives’ marital satisfaction as potential mediating variables. We found that both husbands’ and wives’ sleep quality longitudinally predicted their own and their partner’s financial management behaviors. Additionally, husbands’ and wives’ sleep quality—through wives’ marital satisfaction—indirectly and longitudinally predicted wives’ financial management behaviors. As financial practitioners encourage newlywed couples to consistently experience quality sleep, their financial management behaviors may benefit. We suggest that for newlywed couples, both partners’ bedtime may be longitudinally connected to both partners’ management of their budget.

Sexual satisfaction is a complex construct that is affected by many diverse factors. Without a comprehensive framework guiding their work, scholars and practitioners who work with married couples may inadvertently focus on a single factor affecting sexual satisfaction and subsequently limit the effectiveness of their research and practice. Through discussion and an empirical example, the current study explores how the developmental model of marital competence—a comprehensive theory for understanding marital processes—can be used by scholars and practitioners to guide their work on sexual satisfaction and broaden their approach. Utilizing U.S. nationally representative data from 2,114 mixed-sex couples and guided by the actor-partner-interdependence-model, cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between wives’ and husbands’ sexual satisfaction and three factors—conflict resolution quality, forgiveness, and anxious and avoidant attachment—that correspond to the three domains of the developmental model of marital competence—marital communication, marital virtues, and marital identities—were tested. Results of the current study provide empirical support for the use of the developmental model of marital competence when approaching work on sexual relationships among married, heterosexual couples. For both partners, variables from each of the three domains of this model were associated with sexual satisfaction cross-sectionally, and variables in one domain—attachment avoidance and anxiety—were associated with changes in sexual satisfaction over time. The merits of researchers and practitioners integrating the developmental model of marital competence into their work are discussed.

Researchers have shown that if couples manage their money in sound ways, their marriages may benefit. Scholars have also shown that the quality of a marriage may precede positive financial behaviors. Previous studies have not determined the directionality of these processes, but researchers have assumed that it flows from financial variables to marital satisfaction. Utilizing a sample of U.S. mixed-gender, newlywed dyads ( N = 1220), we examined which is a stronger association: financial processes predicting marital processes or marital processes predicting financial processes. Specifically, we estimated three dyadic, structural equation models to examine cross-lagged associations between husbands’ and wives’ own financial behaviors and their own marital satisfaction, between husbands’ and wives’ own financial communication and their own marital satisfaction, and between husbands’ and wives’ own financial behaviors and their own financial communication across two waves of data. We found that husbands’ marital satisfaction predicted rank-order change in their reports of financial communication more strongly than the reverse. Furthermore, we found that wives’ financial behaviors predicted rank-order change in their reports of financial communication more strongly than the reverse. These results have implications for theory, future research, and improving the financial and marital wellbeing of U.S. mixed-gender, newlywed couples.

Many emerging adults have experienced increased financial distress and mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic, and isolation may have amplified the importance of close relationships (especially as parents’ influence diminishes during this developmental stage). Using the ABC-X Model to frame our model, we tested whether financial distress (C) mediates the associations between COVID-19 impact (A) and anxiety and depressive symptoms (X), and whether or not romantic relationship quality (B) moderates these indirect associations. Our sample comprised of 1950 U.S. emerging adults in a romantic relationship. Mediation and first-stage moderated mediation were tested using structural equation modeling. Financial distress partially mediated the association between COVID-19 impact and anxiety symptoms and fully mediated the association between COVID-19 impact and depressive symptoms. Strong evidence of moderated mediation was found but in the opposite direction expected: the indirect associations of COVID-19 impact with anxiety and depressive symptoms (through financial distress) were stronger for those in high-quality romantic relationships. The findings may inform policy and practice aimed at optimizing the mental health of emerging adults, especially in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic: specifically, alleviating financial distress may improve the mental health of emerging adults, while focusing on the quality of their romantic relationships may not.

Those with low sexual satisfaction tend to have low relational satisfaction. However, literature provides examples of those who maintain satisfying relationships despite low sexual satisfaction yet provides few clues as to what factors protect these individuals. Using U.S. nationally representative data from 1569 newlywed couples, we investigated if empathy for one's partner buffers individuals and couples from low relational satisfaction due to low sexual satisfaction. The positive connection between sexual satisfaction and relational satisfaction was weak for those reporting high empathy but was strong for those reporting low empathy. Empathy may protect against poor relational satisfaction when sexual satisfaction is low.

Introduction Using an online survey, we evaluated how adolescent trait and state mindfulness was associated with positive adolescent outcomes in non-sexually active and sexually active adolescents. Additionally, we evaluated a newly developed measure, the Sexual Mindfulness Measure (SMM), with adolescents. Methods We asked 2000 U.S. adolescents (half boys/girls; 1/3 low, medium, and high incomes) aged 13–18 (one group 13–15, another 16–18) about trait mindfulness, sexual state mindfulness, and adolescent outcomes. Using Confirmatory Factor Analysis and structured equation modeling, we evaluated the reliability and validity of the SMM and its associations with adolescent outcomes. Results Using a trait mindfulness measure, we found that mindful adolescents with no sexual experience, showed positive associations with self-efficacy, body-esteem, and disclosure with both fathers and mothers. Evaluating adolescents who were sexually active, we confirmed that the SMM had a two-factor structure and demonstrated acceptable reliability for both male and female adolescents. We found that the SMM was associated with positive sexual attitudes, body image, self-efficacy, and disclosure to parents above and beyond trait mindfulness. Conclusions Trait mindfulness was associated with positive self-assessments and parental disclosure. The SMM provided an important assessment of how sexually active adolescents’ ability to remain aware and non-judgmental during sexual experiences may be positively associated with outcomes such as sexual consent, positive body image, self-efficacy, disclosure to parents, and negatively associated with sexual shame and sexual anxiety above and beyond trait mindfulness.