Date of Award
2025
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Human Development and Family Science
Department
Human Development and Family Science
First Advisor
Jing Xiao
Abstract
Relationship satisfaction is critically important for the overall health of the relationship and is therefore inherently desirable for anyone who wants to maintain a long-term romantic relationship. Financial factors have been associated with relationship satisfaction in past research, demonstrating a need for systematic exploration. The purpose of the study is to systematically explore how financial behaviors, values, and macroeconomic systems are connected to relationship satisfaction. The current systematic review follows the PRISMA framework for exclusion and identifies 30 articles studying financial factors and relationship satisfaction from Scopus, PsychInfo, and Web of Science. The analysis followed the Theory, Context, Characteristic, and Methodology (TCCM) framework to identify common theories, contextual factors such as the country each study was conducted in, characteristics such as the scales used to measure relationship satisfaction, and the methodological designs of each study. Findings showed that couples and finances theory was the most commonly employed theory. The Couples Satisfaction Index was the most popular scale for measuring relationship satisfaction. Financial conflict, financial deception, and materialism were all negatively associated with relationship satisfaction. Implications for practitioners include focusing on the value of marriage and fostering open communication to decrease financial deception.
Recommended Citation
Gardner, David, "FINANCIAL FACTORS AND RELATIONSHIP SATISFACTION: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW USING THE TCCM FRAMEWORK" (2025). Open Access Master's Theses. Paper 2615.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/theses/2615