Predicting Canadian Armed Forces service couples’ marital satisfaction: roles of financial well-being and financial strain

Abstract

Introduction: Civilian-related research has demonstrated that couples’ financial well-being and subtypes of financial strain influence marital satisfaction. However, there is a lesser understanding about financial well-being and strain as well as martial satisfaction among military service couples. Accordingly, the present study examined the impact of service couples’ perception of financial well-being and subtypes of financial strain on their marital satisfaction. Methods: Out of 1,637 Regular Force (Reg F) Canadian Armed Forces members who responded to a financial well-being survey, 423 were married Reg F service couples. Participants reported their financial strains (i.e., credit card debt, relationship problems, physical stress, inability to meet obligations), financial well-being, and marital satisfaction. Results: A hierarchical multiple regression was conducted in which marital satisfaction was regressed onto financial well-being, followed by the subtypes of financial strain. Results indicated that higher financial well-being and lower financial strains both significantly predicted greater marital satisfaction. Fewer relationship problems and higher physical strain were uniquely predictive of higher marital satisfaction. Discussion: Findings suggest that, similar to civilian populations, both financial well-being and financial strains influence service couples’ marital satisfaction. Increased relationship problems with others in relation to finances may decrease the quality of spousal interactions. Meanwhile, it is possible that increased physical strain symptoms (e.g., headaches, inability to sleep, upset stomach) due to financial strain may increase couples’ marital satisfaction through the provision of social support.