Exploring the Effect of Employment Instability for Relationship Satisfaction in Diverse Couples: Implications for Integrative Multi-couple Group Intervention

ABSTRACT

This exploratory study examined race/ethnicity, income, and employment status (including underemployment specifically) as predictors of relational distress for members of a couple in a predominantly low-income, historically marginalized racial-ethnic (HMRE) background sample (N = 671 couples). Results of a dyadic multiple regression using structural equation modeling did not show an effect for underemployment on relational satisfaction, but effects for employment status and race differed significantly. Findings strengthen the demand for holistic and integrative approaches to multi-couple group career counseling and career development for disproportionately higher numbers of HMRE couples and families.

KEYWORDS:

• Career development
• relationship education
• employment instability
• family stability
• race-ethnicity

Additional information

Funding

The data collected for this manuscript was supported by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance [grant: 90FM0039-01-00]. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of US DHHS, Office of Family Assistance.

Notes on contributors

Nickolas Spears

Nickolas Spears is a recent Ph.D. recipient in the Counselor Education & Supervision program at Virginia Commonwealth University. Currently, he is an Assistant Professor at Hampton University. He has a background in civic engagement as well as substance use and mental health counseling. Dr. Spears’ research interests investigate the relationship between couple and family stress, workforce development, and economic mobility in underrepresented and historically marginalized populations.

Naomi J. Wheeler

Naomi J. Wheeler, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Counseling and Special Education with the Virginia Commonwealth University.

Rachel A. Regal

Rachel A. Regal is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Counseling and Special Education with the Virginia Commonwealth University.

Andrew P. Daire

Andrew P. Daire, Ph.D. is Dean and Professor in the School of Education at Virginia Commonwealth University.