Many people of Abrahamic religions believe that God loves all His children through His forgiving nature. Belief and trust in God, found across many religions, can influence peoples’ attitudes toward and experiences with forgiveness. Forgiveness is not always easy and may be a difficult process to go through – whether it be you forgiving others or others forgiving you. But it certainly seemed to be common across the religions that were included in a 2022 study led by Justin Hendricks and colleagues on forgiveness.[1] The research explored how religious beliefs about forgiveness were applied in families of faith.

Usually, marriages of many different ethnicities are grouped together and explored as a whole. While this can prove useful for looking at marriage generally, we can learn a lot by focusing on specific groups, such as African American couples. Exploring the unique strengths of happy and enduring African American marriages can help us to better understand how different groups of people thrive in a marital relationship—and what we might learn from them. In a study focused on finding the strengths that contributed to enduring, satisfying, and happy marriages in African American couples, Dr. Loren Marks and colleagues found unique insights into the struggles and strengths these couples face.1

In a study by Dr. Heather Kelley and her team,[1] they delve into the complex role of religion in marital relationships, recognizing its dual nature as both a unifying force that strengthens bonds and a dividing force that can create tension in a relationship. This study involved interviews with 198 couples from various religious traditions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, providing insight into the specific ways religious diversity can affect marriage dynamics. The authors identified three fundamental dimensions through which religion can influence marital cohesion or tension: (1) beliefs, (2) practices, and (3) community.

Access to healthcare is fundamental to ensuring children’s health and well-being, yet disparities in healthcare access continue to exist.[1] This is particularly true when the financial state of the family is considered. Research highlights how economic factors and social inequalities significantly impact the availability and quality of healthcare services for children.1 This article will synthesize key findings from previous studies that elaborate on the intricate relationship between family finances and access to healthcare.

In a recent study,[1] Dr. David Allsop and colleagues investigated factors influencing sexual satisfaction among couples during pregnancy, such as physiological (e.g., physical discomfort,[2] hormonal changes, sleep quality), psychological (e.g., anxiety, depressive symptoms, self-esteem), and social (e.g., relationship quality, support from friends and family, societal expectations) factors. Merely focusing on physiological factors is not enough to fully grasp or address the complexity of the issue. In fact, Allsop’s study revealed the complex and multifaceted nature of sexual satisfaction during pregnancy, emphasizing the importance of considering emotional and relational dynamics between spouses. By addressing a diverse range of influences, we can better support couples in experiencing enriching sexual relationships as they navigate through this transformative phase of life!

In a groundbreaking study, Dr. Brandan Wheeler and his team[1] investigate the interplay between financial distress, relational aggression, and marital quality among married couples in the U.S. after the 2009 Recession. Their findings reveal that relationally aggressive behaviors such as spreading rumors about a partner and withdrawing affection partially explained the impact of financial problems on the couple relationship post-recession. In other words, when some couples are financially stressed they treat each other worse, which then harms their marriage. This discovery underscores the detrimental effects of using harmful conflict tactics (like verbal attacks, silent treatment, and blame-shifting) during economic hardship and, on the other hand, the importance of mutual support and understanding between partners during times of financial strain.

Married life can be a rollercoaster with ups, downs, and unexpected turns along the way. While couples might hope their finances stay stable throughout their marriage, history is full of examples of big, unexpected financial challenges for families across the United States. Instances include the Great Depression in the 1930’s, the Great Recession in 2008, and most recently the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Other unexpected changes or disturbances happen to individual families such as the loss of a job, increases in living expenses, or the addition of a new child. The financial wellness of a couple—the level of stress or satisfaction in their financial situation—can be affected with each twist and turn of life.

Gold is the money of kings;[i] he who has the gold makes the rules.[ii] These famous sayings highlight the enduring link between wealth, power, and authority in our society. We only need to glance at the business world, politics, or Hollywood to see the influence money can have in pushing certain agendas and creating change in public spheres. But what about money’s influence in the private sector of our home lives? Does money influence family or couple dynamics, and if so, how? Dr. Ashley LeBaron-Black and colleagues sought to answer these questions through two research articles exploring the associations between couple finances, relational power, and marital satisfaction and stability.[iii],[iv]

About half of emerging adults in the U.S. live with their parents,[1] which highlights the financial challenges they face, such as student loan debt, low income, and high living costs. These challenges significantly impact their financial situations and lifestyles. Notably, financial issues play a crucial role in the success of romantic relationships among emerging adults.

Money troubles can make or break a marriage, and in fact, financial conflict is the number one predictor of divorce—more than any other type of disagreement.[1] Therefore, understanding how couples manage and navigate through financial challenges is especially important. In a compelling study[2] led by Dr. Heather Kelley and her team, they explored the relationship between financial stress and marital quality. The study found that financial stress negatively impacts marital satisfaction. When couples experience certain life events such as marriage, unemployment, or childbirth, they are more prone to financial stress. However, effective communication and maintaining a positive attitude can help mitigate the negative effects financial stress has on marital quality, and can help couples strengthen their relationship.