Keywords
bonadaptation, commitment, coparenting, financial stress, FAAR model
Abstract
The FAAR model (Patterson in Fam Syst Med 6(2):202–237, 1988) posits that following a stressor, demands, capabilities, and meanings can contribute to bonadaptation (i.e., adaptation that promotes wellbeing). The purpose of the current study is to test how financial and relational demands, capabilities, and meanings are associated with relationship commitment and coparenting (i.e., bonadaptation) following a financial stressor. We used data from the Building Strong Families (BSF) sample (i.e., primarily lower-income, unmarried couples; N = 1396). First, results showed that predictors of coparenting were more numerous than predictors of commitment. Second, all facets of the FAAR model—demands, capabilities, and meanings—were evident as predictors of bonadaptation. Finally, comparing the results with the results of a previous paper (i.e., a nationally-representative sample of married couples; Dew et al. in J Fam Econ Issues 39(3):405–421, 2018), relationship maintenance behaviors and financial support were capabilities for both samples, whereas other capabilities and meanings were context-specific (e.g., relational support significant in Dew et al. sample but not BSF sample). These patterns suggest that although some of the avenues to bonadaptation may differ depending on the sample, it is possible for couples to thrive not just in spite of financial stressors but even because of them; that is, financial stressors can serve as catalysts for positive relational growth.
Original Publication Citation
LeBaron, A. B.*, Curran, M. A., Li, X., Dew, J. P., Sharp, T. K.†, & Barnett, M. A. (2020). Financial stressors as catalysts for relational growth: Bonadaptation among lower-income, unmarried couples. Journal of Family and Economic Issues.
BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
LeBaron, Ashley B.; Curran, Melissa A.; Li, Xiomin; Dew, Jeffrey P.; Sharp, Trevor K.; and Barnett, Melissa A., "Financial Stressors as Catalysts for Relational Growth: Bonadaptation Among Lower-Income, Unmarried Couples" (2020). Faculty Publications. 4543.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/facpub/4543
Document Type
Peer-Reviewed Article
Publication Date
2020-02-05
Permanent URL
http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/7350
Publisher
Journal of Family and Economic Issues
Language
English
College
Family, Home, and Social Sciences
Department
Family Life
Copyright Status
© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2020
Copyright Use Information
http://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/