Experiencing and overcoming financial stress in married couples: A study in COVID 19 pandemic era

Keywords: financial stress; coping behavior; family relationships; joint coping; subjective economic well-being.

Abstract

The article analyzes interaction of spouses in overcoming financial stress. An online survey of 136 married couples was conducted during the lockdown caused by the spread of COVID-19 accompanied by family income losses. Frequency and severity of discussions on financial topics; level of subjective economic well-being, activity of coping strategies, family cohesion and adaptation were measured. Results showed that the discussion of financial topics is a stressor for married couples, accompanied by contradictions and conflicts, but ultimately helps to improve quality of relations between spouses, and also increases the adaptability of the family system in a situation of socio-economic crisis. Subjects of conflicts were defined. Influence of gender roles on financial consciousness and behavior was shown. Wives are more likely to initiate discussions on economic topics and more inclined to economic anxiety, while husbands showed economic optimism. The severity of financial stress correlates with assessments of family cohesion. Correlations between financial well-being and coping behavior of husbands and wives represent the family as an entire open system. Partners are interdependent in overcoming financial stress. Collective family coping is determined by individual reactions of spouses. The efforts of partners can be congruent and complementary.

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Author Biographies

Iryna P. Yakymchuk, Pavlo Tychyna Uman State Pedagogical University, Uman, Ukraine.

PhD in Psychology, Associate Professor at the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Psychological Education, Pavlo Tychyna Uman State Pedagogical University, Uman, Ukraine.

Serhii M. Olkhovetskyi, Pavlo Tychyna Uman State Pedagogical University, Uman, Ukraine.

PhD in Psychology, Associate Professor at the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Psychological Education, Pavlo Tychyna Uman State Pedagogical University, Uman, Ukraine.

Ilona V. Rashkovska, National Pedagogical Drahomanov University, Kyiv, Ukraine.

PhD in Psychology, Associate Professor at the Practical Psychology Department, Faculty of Pedagogy and Psychology, National Pedagogical Drahomanov University, Kyiv, Ukraine.

Halyna M. Bevz, National Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine.

Doctor of Psychology, Professor, Head of the Communicative Psychology Laboratory at the Institute of Social and Political Psychology, National Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine.

Maryna O. Martseniuk, Mukachevo State University, Mukachevo, Ukraine.

PhD in Psychology, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Psychology, Humanitarian Faculty, Mukachevo State University, Mukachevo, Ukraine.

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Published
2021-07-30
How to Cite
Yakymchuk, I. P., Olkhovetskyi, S. M., Rashkovska, I. V., Bevz, H. M., & Martseniuk, M. O. (2021). Experiencing and overcoming financial stress in married couples: A study in COVID 19 pandemic era. Amazonia Investiga, 10(42), 124-140. https://doi.org/10.34069/AI/2021.42.06.12
Section
Articles
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