Abstract
This study examined whether financial behaviors mediate the association between financial selfefficacy and romantic relationship flourishing. Previous research and Family Financial Socialization Theory suggest that financial behaviors may benefit romantic relationship outcomes in emerging adulthood. Previous research also suggests that financial self-efficacy may benefit romantic relationship quality in emerging adulthood. Research has yet to document, however, whether financial self-efficacy may indirectly benefit romantic relationship outcomes through financial behaviors in emerging adulthood. Using data from the Measuring Family Financial Socialization Project (N = 1,950 emerging adults), we used structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine whether financial behaviors mediate the association between financial self-efficacy and romantic relationship flourishing. We found that financial self-efficacy was positively and indirectly associated with romantic relationship flourishing, with financial behaviors fully mediating the relationship. In addition to helping emerging adult couples with their financial behaviors, relational educators and clinicians may consider intervening in emerging adult couples’ financial self-efficacy as an indirect relational treatment. Financial educators and parents might help children, adolescents, and emerging adults build financial self-efficacy to benefit not only their future financial wellbeing but also their future relational wellbeing.
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Data collection for this project was funded by a grant from the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE).
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The data used in the current study are not publicly available due to privacy restrictions set forth in the participant consent form and by the institutional review board. However, the analysis code/syntax used in the current study is available upon request from the first author. No aspects of the study were pre-registered. The authors also declare that there are no conflicts of interest with the current study.
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Okamoto, R.M., Saxey, M.T., Wikle, J.S. et al. Confident Commitment: Financial Self-Efficacy’s Indirect Association with Romantic Relationship Flourishing Through Financial Behaviors. J Fam Econ Iss 45, 35–44 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-023-09903-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-023-09903-1