Using data from a national survey, this study examines income and other key variables (division of labor and work-family conflict) and their relationship to marital satisfaction. This study builds upon the body of research regarding working couples and women's increased participation in the paid labor force as well as evaluates the findings in the context of data gathered from the recent United States census. Results from this study also are compared to the findings of other key studies. Emergent data may be used to prepare counselors to work more effectively with couple clients and to assist employers in the development of work life policies for dual career and dual earner employees. Results from the multiple regression revealed no direct effects of income on marital satisfaction. For this sample, increases in work family conflict contributed to less marital satisfaction as did the presence of children. Increased participation in household chores by respondents' partners contributed to increased marital satisfaction. No differences were observed by gender. Limitations of the study, recommendations for further research, and implications for practitioners also are addressed.

This exploratory study posited that being in an insecure marriage would increase marital conflict and perceived relational aggression when the couple is experiencing economic constraints. The cross-sectional design assessed two groups of marriages: secure and insecure. A structural equation model using multiple group comparison tested the effect of each type of marriage, controlling for husband and wife education, number of children, and length of marriage. Results indicated that husbands who identify as insecure experience greater marital conflict and perceive their spouses to be more psychologically aggressive. There was also evidence of a cross-lag effect indicating husbands' perceived marital conflict positively influences wives' perceptions of greater spousal psychological aggression for insecure couples, but not secure couples. This is the first study to use attachment as a moderating variable in the family stress model. Future research should look to include greater measures of attachment, with a focus on longitudinal designs. Implications are also discussed. / Graduation date: 2013

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)