"These Aren't Very Good Times": Financial Uncertainty Experienced by Romantic Partners in the Wake of an Economic Downturn

In the wake of the economic downturn, economic uncertainty is roughly double that of the past 23 years. Research indicates married couples are uncertain about finances and financial uncertainty can  dversely affect individual and relational outcomes, yet little is known about the nature of financial uncertainty and how it is manifested. Thus, this investigation relied on face-toface interviews to uncover the financial uncertainty experienced by 40 individuals in married or cohabiting relationships. The study found financial uncertainty was largely universal regardless of participant age, marital or socioeconomic status, sex, or family background. Five types of financial uncertainty emerged from the interviews: (1) economic uncertainty; (2) management uncertainty; (3) personal uncertainty; (4)  ommunication uncertainty; and (5) chronic uncertainty, underscoring the importance of financial communication.