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Money Over Marriage: Marriage Importance as a Mediator Between Materialism and Marital Satisfaction

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  • Ashley B. LeBaron

    (Brigham Young University)

  • Heather H. Kelley

    (Brigham Young University)

  • Jason S. Carroll

    (Brigham Young University)

Abstract

While the negative relationship between materialism and marital satisfaction is well documented, mediators that possibly explain this association have not been widely explored. Based on the Incompatibility of Materialism and Children Model and Marital Paradigms Theory, this article explores the perception of marriage importance as a potential mediator between materialism and marital satisfaction. Using a sample of 1310 married individuals, we found evidence of partial mediation in that materialism was negatively associated with perception of marriage importance, and this association partially explained why being materialistic was associated with lower marital satisfaction. Thus, as counselors, therapists, and financial planners work with married clients, it is important that they consider how their clients’ materialistic tendencies may influence the family both financially and relationally. Suggestions for future research are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Ashley B. LeBaron & Heather H. Kelley & Jason S. Carroll, 2018. "Money Over Marriage: Marriage Importance as a Mediator Between Materialism and Marital Satisfaction," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 39(2), pages 337-347, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jfamec:v:39:y:2018:i:2:d:10.1007_s10834-017-9563-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s10834-017-9563-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Melissa A. Curran & Emily Parrott & Sun Young Ahn & Joyce Serido & Soyeon Shim, 2018. "Young Adults’ Life Outcomes and Well-Being: Perceived Financial Socialization from Parents, the Romantic Partner, and Young Adults’ Own Financial Behaviors," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 39(3), pages 445-456, September.
    2. Pachara Pimpawatin & Nopphol Witvorapong, 2023. "Direct and Indirect Effects of Parenthood on Later-Life Happiness: Evidence from Older Adults in Thailand," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 44(2), pages 249-266, June.
    3. Mst Asma Khatun & Yu Nakamura & Koji Kotani, 2021. "Mis(match) and happiness in marital relationship: Importance of future planning and inquisitiveness," Working Papers SDES-2021-7, Kochi University of Technology, School of Economics and Management, revised Jul 2021.
    4. Jeffrey Dew, 2021. "Ten Years of Marriage and Cohabitation Research in the Journal of Family and Economic Issues," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 42(1), pages 52-61, July.
    5. Alonso-Almeida, María del Mar & Perramon, Jordi & Bagur-Femenías, Llorenç, 2020. "Shedding light on sharing ECONOMY and new materialist consumption: An empirical approach," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 52(C).

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