Michelle is studying family life with an emphasis in human development at BYU. When Michelle graduates, she wants to continue her education and become a professor or a therapist. She loves to do yoga, watch movies, and outdoor activities.
Michelle Si
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Can Talking About Money Save Your Sex Life? YES!
The newlywed period is a critical transition for couples.[1] Nearly all newlyweds face financial stress, which can affect many aspects of marriage, including marital satisfaction[2] and sexual satisfaction.[3],[4] When couples experience disagreements or challenges around money, they are also more likely to encounter conflicts in their sexual relationship[5] because financial stress can create tension, reduce emotional intimacy, and make it harder for partners to feel connected or relaxed with each other.
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Debt Hurts Marriages—Here’s How to Stop It
Many couples face issues with credit card debt, installment loans, and other forms of consumer debt. Most people understand that debt affects financial well-being, but debt can also impact marital relationships—and even increase the risk of divorce! A study involving 4,574 couples found that consumer debt not only strains family finances but can also increase marital conflicts, lower marital satisfaction, and even increase the likelihood of divorce.[1]
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When Finances Fail, Grades Suffer
College graduates earn, on average, about $23,000 more per year than those with only a high school diploma. For college students, completing their degree on time is often helpful for securing a stable livelihood and for families to achieve financial well-being. Despite these benefits, many students struggle with significant financial pressures such as rising tuition, housing costs, and living expenses, which can jeopardize their ability to finish college.[1] Financial stress not only affects academic performance but can also directly lead to dropping out. With rising tuition and reduced financial aid, many are forced to rely on loans to pay for their education,[2] which greatly increases the difficulty of graduating on time.
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How Trust and Communication Shape Each Other in Early Marriage
Newlywed life is like building a bridge together, and its stability depends on two essential pillars: trust and communication.[1] This period is not only a crucial time for redefining relationship norms, but also a period of some of the most heightened emotional fluctuations and shifts in relationship satisfaction.[2] That makes it especially important to understand how trust and communication interact. Trust is an inner assurance that your partner will make decisions that benefit both of you[3] and serves as the foundation for positive interaction.[4] Communication is more than exchanging words; it’s about expressing respect, empathy, and affirmation, especially when one partner is feeling vulnerable.[5]
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When Money Gets in the Way of Love: The Relational Costs of Materialism in Relationships
In a two-year study conducted by Dr. Chelom Leavitt and her colleagues,[1] they tracked 338 couples to explore the impact of materialism on marital relationships. It was found that materialism—regarding money, possessions, and status as the keys to happiness1—profoundly affects the emotional and sexual wellbeing of couples.1 Previous research shows that both "object-oriented" materialism (the pursuit of material things) and "image-oriented" materialism (the pursuit of image enhancement) are associated with lower relationship satisfaction and sexual satisfaction.[2] In other words, the more a couple values money and material things, the more likely they are to feel dissatisfied in their relationship and sex life.
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Balancing Sleep, Money, and Sex in Marriage
Although newlyweds are often optimistic about their future, their marriages may still face unique challenges.[1] For example, couples must navigate careers,3 family decisions,[2] finances,[3] and much more. So, what makes a marriage truly happy? In a recent study,[4] Matthew Saxey and his team examined how sleep, finances, and sex are related to marital happiness. What they discovered was eye-opening: these elements combine in unique ways to shape marital satisfaction, leading to four distinct relationship profiles—“Flounderers,” “Drowsy Budgeters,” “Financially Challenged Lovers,” and “Flourishers.” The four profiles revealed how these elements interact to shape couples’ relationships:
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Faith and Friction: How Religion Shapes Marital Dynamics
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.
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Sex during Pregnancy
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!
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Strengthening Your Marriage Amidst Financial Difficulties
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.
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