What does research tell us about materialism and marriage? Nothing positive, says Jason Carroll, Family Initiative Director at Wheatley Institute. "Materialism harms marriages in two distinct ways—one obvious, one far less so—and understanding both is essential for any couple or family navigating the financial realities of modern life."
His examination of the "spending problem" and the "perception problem" come on the heels of research pointing to a 50-year high in materialism among high school-aged teenagers. Carroll, who has researched materialism for two decades, is concerned about what this could mean for family formation and stability in the coming years.
What has Carroll's own research found? "Couples where both spouses reported low materialism were better off on every measured dimension of marriage quality—including better communication, more effective conflict resolution, less problem areas, higher relationship satisfaction, and greater relationship stability," he explains. Conversely, couples where both spouses reported high materialism "reported the most problematic patterns and the fewest positive outcomes across every measure we looked at."
Despite the negative data, there is hope, Carroll continues: "Research on materialism and marriage doesn't just diagnose the problem—it also points toward solutions. Drawing on findings from these and other studies, five recommendations emerge as particularly important for couples navigating the current financial environment."
Read the full article at the Institute for Family Studies.
Read part one, "'Can't Buy Me Love': Materialism and Marriage"