Skip to main content
Log in

The factors affecting a family's plan to change its financial situation

  • Published:
Lifestyles Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study investigates the factors involved in changing a family's financial situation for 485 Midwestern households. High income families and those with high home equity levels have a smaller gap between their standards and levels of consumption. High income families are more satisfied with their financial situations than low income families. Those families with a large gap between their standards and levels of consumption are more dissatisfied with their financial situations. Older heads of households have higher satisfaction with their financial situations and are less likely to plan to change them. Large families are less satisfied with their financial situations than small families and are more likely to plan to change them.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Berry, R., & Williams, F. (1987). Assessing the relationship between quality of life and marital and income satisfaction: A path analytic approach.Journal of Marriage and the Family, 49, 107–116.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beutler, I., & Owen, A. (1980). A home production activity model.Home Economics Research Journal, 9, 16–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, E., & Helmick, S. (1985). Family financial satisfaction: The impact of reference points.Home Economics Research Journal, 14, 123–131.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, J. (1945). Standards and content of living.The American Economic Review, 35, 1–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deacon, R., & Firebaugh, F. (1981).Family resource management: Principles and applications. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, K. (1988). Using a systems framework for organizing family financial affairs planning.The Journal of Consumer Affairs, 22, 319–332.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gary, L., & Tallman, I. (1984). A satisfaction balance model of decision making and choice behavior.Social Psychology Quarterly, 47, 146–159.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gross, I., Crandall, E., & Knoll, M. (1980).Management for modern families. (4th ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hafstrom, J., & Dunsing, M. (1973). Level of living: Factors influencing the homemaker's satisfaction.Home Economics Research Journal, 2, 119–132.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hefferan, C. (1981). Family financial planning — research.Family Economics Review, (Spring), 14–19.

  • Hira, T. (1987). Satisfaction with money management: Practices among dual-earner households.Journal of Home Economics, 79(2), 19–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoyt, E. (1938).Consumption in our society. New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kain, J., & Quigley, J. (1972). Note on owner's estimate of housing value.Journal of the American Statistical Association, 67, 803–806.

    Google Scholar 

  • Katona, G. (1960).The powerful consumer. New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Katona, G. (1964).The mass consumption society. New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kish, L., & Lansing, J. (1954). Response errors in estimating the value of a home.Journal of the American Statistical Association, 49, 520–538.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kyrk, H. (1953).The family in the American economy. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liston, M. (1970).Evaluation of present methods for determining assistance grants for ADC and OAA recipients in Iowa (Report No. 101). Ames: Iowa State University, Home Economics Research Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lown, J. (1986). Family financial well-being: Guidance from research.Journal of Home Economics, 78(4), 5–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paolucci, B., Hall, O., & Axinn, N. (1977).Family decision making: An ecosystem approach. New York: Wiley & Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pedhazur, E.J. (1982).Multiple regression in behavioral research: Explanation and prediction (2nd ed.). New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rice, A., & Tucker, S. (1986).Family life management. New York: Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schnittgrund, K., & Baker, G. (1983). Financial management of low-income urban families.Journal of Consumer Studies and Home Economics, 7, 261–270.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strumpel, B. (1973). Economic life styles, values and subjective welfare — An empirical approach. In E.B. Sheldon (Ed.),Family economic behavior: Problems and prospects (pp. 69–125). Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor-Gooby, P. (1985). Personal consumption and gender.Sociology, 19, 273–284.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thoresen, R. (1985).Financial management practices of families in the United States Army: Impacts on family life. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Florida State University.

  • Winter, M., Bivens, G., & Morris, E. (1984). The assessment of subjective change in family financial well-being. In G. Rowe, J. DeFrain, H. Lingren, R. MacDonald, N. Stinnett, S. Van Zadt, & R. Williams (Eds.),Family strengths 5: Continuing and Diversity. Newton, MA: Educational Development Center.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Sharon M. Danes is Assistant Professor and Family Resource Management Extension Specialist, Family Social Science Department, University of Minnesota, 275F McNeal Hall, 1985 Buford Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108. Dr. Danes received her Ph.D. from Iowa State University and her current research interests include family management and family financial management.

Earl W. Morris is Associate Professor, Department of Design, Housing, and Apparel, University of Minnesota, 368B McNeal Hall, 1985 Buford Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108. Dr. Morris received his Ph.D. from Cornell University. His current research interests include rural housing.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Danes, S.M., Morris, E.W. The factors affecting a family's plan to change its financial situation. J Fam Econ Iss 10, 205–215 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00989507

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00989507

Key words

Navigation