The association between dyadic coping, work stress and marital quality in dual career couples

Abstract

Conflict within marriage is one of the most common factors leading to increased risk of divorce rates between couples. Abundant studies in the West explored factors contributing to conflict within marriage. Empirical research has shown an association between marital quality and dual career couples. This study explores the association between marital quality and work stress between couples by adding a factor termed dyadic coping. The study is performed in an Arab country “Lebanon” to understand differences between cultures. The researcher assesses the three variables, through the WAFCs and DAS for work stress and marital quality respectively, and the DCI assessment tool for dyadic coping. The sample constituted of 49 married participants aged between 21-64 years old. The results indicated that positive dyadic coping positively correlated with good marital quality (r=0.643). There is no difference between marital satisfaction depending on gender differences in this study where men and women experienced work to family stress equally. Additionally, it was indicated that couple’s stress within the family and low marital satisfaction affected only men’s performance at work.