Dynamics of family economic hardship and the progression of health problems of husbands and wives during the middle years: a perspective from rural Mid-West.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of theoretically important dimensions of stability and change in economic hardship during early middle years on decade-long health problems of husbands and wives.


METHODS
The study used prospective data collected from 360 middle-aged husbands and wives during a 12-year period. The variables included self-reported economic hardship (22 items), mental and physical health, and physical impairment.


RESULTS
The results supported the hypothesis that the dynamics of family economic hardship (in terms of stability and change) during the early middle years contribute to subsequent onset of health problems of middle-aged husbands and wives. These health problems in turn progress as an interrelated process through intrahealth-domain continuities, cross-health domain proliferations, and dyadic associations as they pass through midlife.


CONCLUSIONS
A better understanding of these processes may aid in the formation and effective implementation of health promotion programs for middle-aged husbands and wives.
Wickrama
K A S
KA
Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Iowa State University, Ames 50011, USA. s2kas@iastate.edu
Hwa Kwag
Kyung
K
Lorenz
Federick O
FO
Conger
Rand D
RD
Surjadi
Florensia F
FF
D000367:Age Factors; D018450:Disease Progression; D057172:Economic Recession / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011594:Psychometrics; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D057566:Self Report; D012737:Sex Factors; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D014481:United States