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Study Links Government Assistance With Divorce

A new report out of the University of Missouri has found that receiving government assistance such as welfare, food stamps, or Medicaid, is linked to significantly higher rates of divorce. This research confirms what many have guessed in the past: stress over money and poverty are enormous stresses on relationships.

According to David Schramm, an assistant professor in Human Development and Family Studies and the author of the study, the research he conducted not only shows that low income and financial woes affect divorce rates, but that those who seek government assistance are more likely to divorce than those with similar money issues. Specifically, the study found that couples making less than $20,000 a year per household were more likely to report feeling trapped in their marriage, less overall satisfaction with their marriage, negative feelings toward their marriage, and commitment issues.

Very simply, relationship experts believe that low incomes, debt and other financial issues lead to high levels of stress – much of which can be taken out on a partner.

Currently, about 45 million people in the United States receive some sort of government assistance.

Researchers hope that the information discovered in this study can lead to education and awareness for low income families who are struggling with money and perhaps their relationship.

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