Publication year
2015
Citation Title
Together - a couples' program to improve communication, coping, and financial management skills: Development and initial pilot-testing.
Journal Name
Journal of Marital and Family Therapy
Journal Volume
41
Issue Number
2
Page Numbers
236–250
DOI
10.1111/jmft.12052
Summary
Financial strain often has a negative effect on couples' relationship satisfaction, and financial education programs may be helpful for couples who are experiencing financial strain. This pilot study had 24 couples complete a couple's financial education program "TOGETHER", and each couple was surveyed before and after the program regarding their financial strain, financial management skills, relationship satisfaction, and communication. Results indicated a positive effect of the program on both male and female partners' financial management and communication skills.
Key Findings
The TOGETHER program reduced both partners' financial strain and increased their financial management skills.
The TOGETHER program reduced male negative communications and increased male relationship satisfaction for at least three months after program completion.
Both partners reported high satisfaction with the TOGETHER program.
Implications for Military Professionals
Educate military families on useful financial management skills and communication techniques
Collaborate with financial counselors to emphasize the importance of good financial behaviors on military families' well-being
Implications for Program Leaders
Offer financial education programs to military couples who are experiencing relationship difficulties due to financial strain
Disseminate information regarding useful financial management tips to military families
Implications for Policy Makers
Encourage the development of financial education programs for military couples to increase their financial management skills and relationship satisfaction
Recommend education of professionals working with military families on the impact of financial strain on family relationships
Methods
Participants were recruited through list serves, advertisements, and medical offices.
Participants completed surveys three times: one week before the program (T1), two weeks after program completion (T2), and three months after program completion (T3); the attrition rate at T3 was 33%.
Measures assessed participants' financial strain, relationship satisfaction, dyadic coping (e.g., support provided by the partner), psychological aggression, depression and anxiety, financial management skills, and participants' satisfaction with the program.
Data were analyzed to examine the differences between T1, T2, and T3.
Participants
Participants were 24 heterosexual couples who completed the program.
The average ages of the male and female participants were 40.72 years (SD = 12.35) and 38.72 (SD = 11.35) years, respectively.
The race/ethnicity of the participants were White (50%), Black (31%), Latino (17%), and Asian Americans (2%).
Limitations
The pilot study had a small sample size; therefore, the statistical power was limited, which limits the conclusions that can be drawn based on the findings.
The study was based on self-report data only, so the results may be subject to social desirability bias.
Only heterosexual couples were included in the study, so caution must be taken to generalize the results to same sex couples.
Avenues for Future Research
Recruit more participants so that the statistical power and confidence in the findings of the study can be increased
Collect both subjective and objective data to increase the reliability of the results
Examine the long-term effects of the program on couples' communication, coping, and financial management skills
Focus
Civilian
Target Population
Population Focus
Abstract
The accumulated knowledge about the negative impact of financial strain on couple's relationship functioning and the magnitude of the latest economic downturn have brought together the fields of financial counseling and couples' therapy. This article describes the development of a new interdisciplinary program that aims at helping couples under financial strain improve their financial management, communication, and dyadic coping skills. The article also reports the results from its initial pilot-testing with data collected from 18 financially distressed couples before and after participation in the program and 3 months later. Results from repeated measures ANOVAs suggest that the program may help reduce both partners' financial strain and the male negative communication and improve both partners' financial management skills and strategies to cope together with financial strain, and the male relationship satisfaction. These findings together with the high satisfaction reported by participants regarding the structure and content of the sessions and homework suggest that this program may be a promising approach to help couples experiencing financial strain. Gender differences, clinical implications, and possibilities for further research are also discussed.
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