Journals / Erzurum Teknik Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi / 2025 / Sayı: 23

Balancing Work and Marriage: Job Stress and Marital Satisfaction in Dual-Career Couples

İş ve Evlilik Dengesi: Çift Kariyerli Eşlerde İş Stresi ve Evlilik Doyumu

Pages
56–68
Publication Date
2025-09-30
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The findings were discussed in relation to existing literature, and further research suggestions and relevant practical implications were pointed out.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Although the literature on work-family interactions is expanding, to our knowledge, significant gaps remain in understanding how job stress relates to the marital satisfaction of dual-career couples.
📊
Key Findings & Data:Most of these studies primarily concentrate on individual stressors or overlook the complex interactions between personal and relational factors, specifically within a non-Western context.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:The findings were discussed in relation to existing literature, and further research suggestions and relevant practical implications were pointed out.
🔬Design:Modeling & Simulation
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Çift Kariyerli Evlilikler · İş Stresi · Doyum

Abstract

Although the literature on work-family interactions is expanding, to our knowledge, significant gaps remain in understanding how job stress relates to the marital satisfaction of dual-career couples. Most of these studies primarily concentrate on individual stressors or overlook the complex interactions between personal and relational factors, specifically within a non-Western context. In this regard, the current study aims to enhance our understanding of the relationship between job stress and marital satisfaction among dual-career couples in Türkiye. Accordingly, the job stress and marital satisfaction levels of 108 dual-career couples (N= 216, aged between 23 and 58 years old) living in Türkiye were investigated. Data were collected via A Job Stress Scale-20, Marital Satisfaction Scale, and a demographic form. The Actor–Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) was used to analyze data. Results revealed that wives’ job stress significantly predicted wives’ marital satisfaction and husbands’ job stress significantly predicted husbands’ marital satisfaction. None of the partner effects were significant. The findings were discussed in relation to existing literature, and further research suggestions and relevant practical implications were pointed out.

Özet

İş-aile etkileşimlerine ilişkin araştırmaların artmasına rağmen, bildiğimiz kadarıyla, iş stresinin çift kariyerli çiftlerin evlilik doyumuyla nasıl ilişkili olduğunu anlamada literatürde hala önemli boşluklar vardır. Bu çalışmaların çoğu öncelikle bireysel stres faktörlerine odaklanmakta veya özellikle Batılı olmayan bir bağlamda kişisel ve ilişkisel faktörler arasındaki karmaşık etkileşimleri göz ardı etmektedir. Bu bağlamda, mevcut çalışma Türkiye'deki çift kariyerli çiftler arasında iş stresi ve evlilik doyumunun nasıl ilişkili olduğuna dair anlayışı geliştirmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Bu doğrultuda, Türkiye'de yaşayan, yaşları 23 ile 58 arasında değişen, 108 çift kariyerli çiftin (N= 216) iş stresi ve evlilik doyumu düzeyleri araştırılmıştır. Veriler, İş Stresi Ölçeği-20, Evlilik Doyumu Ölçeği ve demografik form aracılığıyla toplanmıştır. Verileri analiz etmek için Aktör-Partner Karşılıklı Bağımlılık Modeli (APIM) kullanılmıştır. Sonuçlar, eşlerin iş stresinin eşlerin evlilik doyumunu ve erkeklerin iş stresinin kendi evlilik doyumlarını anlamlı bir şekilde yordadığını ortaya koymuştur. Partner etkilerin hiçbiri anlamlı değildir. Bulgular mevcut literatürle ilişkili olarak tartışılmış ve daha ileri araştırma önerileri ve ilgili pratik çıkarımlara işaret edilmiştir.

🔖

Cite This Article

Üçok, S. B. Ö., Öztemür, G., Topcu, Ç., Demir, F. M. (2025). Balancing Work and Marriage: Job Stress and Marital Satisfaction in Dual-Career Couples. Erzurum Teknik Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, Sayı: 23, 56–68. https://doi.org/10.29157/etusbed.1711626

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (66)

  1. Ackerman, R. A., & Kenny, D. A. (2016). APIMPower: An interactive tool for Actor-Partner Interdependence Model power analysis [Computer software]. Available from https://robert-a-ackerman.shinyapps.io/apimpower/
  2. Allen, T. D., French, K. A., Dumani, S., & Shockley, K. M. (2020). A cross-national meta-analytic examination of predictors and outcomes associated with work–family conflict. Journal of Applied Psychology, 105(6), 539–576. https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0000442
  3. Bakker, A. B., & Demerouti, E. (2013). The spillover-crossover model. In J. G. Grzywacz & E. Demerouti (Eds.), New frontiers in work and family research (pp. 55–70). Psychology Press.
  4. Bakker, A. B., Demerouti, E., & Dollard, M. F. (2008). How job demands affect partners' experience of exhaustion: Integrating work-family conflict and crossover theory. Journal of Applied Psychology, 93(4), 901–911. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.93.4.901
  5. Bakker, A. B., Demerouti, E., & Burke, R. (2009). Workaholism and relationship quality: A spillover-crossover perspective. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 14(1), 23–33. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0013290
  6. Bakker, A. B., Shimazu, A., Demerouti, E., Shimada, K., & Kawakami, N. (2014). Work engagement versus workaholism: A test of the spillover-crossover model. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 29(1), 63–80. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMP-05-2013-0148
  7. Bolger, N., DeLongis, A., Kessler, R. C., & Wethington, E. (1989). The contagion of stress across multiple roles. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 51(1), 175–183. https://doi.org/10.2307/352378
  8. Carnes, A. M. (2015). Bringing work stress home: The impact of role conflict and role overload on spousal marital satisfaction. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 90(2), 153-176. https://doi.org/10.1111/joop.12163
  9. Chen, Z., & Ellis, A. M. (2021). Crossover of daily job stressors among dual‐career couples: A dyadic examination. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 42(5), 668–683. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.2520
  10. Church, A. T., Anderson-Harumi, C. A., del Prado, A. M., Curtis, G. J., Tanaka-Matsumi, J., Valdez Medina, J. L., Mastor, K. A., White, F. A., Miramontes, L. A., & Katigbak, M. S. (2008). Culture, cross-role consistency, and adjustment: Testing trait and cultural psychology perspectives. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 95(3), 739-755. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.95.3.739
  11. Cox, T., Griffiths, A. J., & Rial Gonzalez, E. (2000). Research on work-related stress. Luxembourg: Office of the Official Publications of the European Communities.
  12. Çelik, M., & İnanç, B. Y. (2009). Evlilik Doyum Ölçeği: Geçerlik ve Güvenirlik Çalışmaları [Marital Satisfaction Scale: Validity and Reliability Studies]. Çukurova Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 18(2), 247-269.
  13. Dargahi S., Damirchi S. E., Givi, H. G., & Nazari, R. S. (2021). Explaining occupational themes of marital dissatisfaction in dual-career couples: a qualitative study. Journal of Occupational Health Epidemiology, 10(2), 99-104. http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-431-en.html
  14. Davies, A. R., & Frink, B. D. (2014). The origins of the ideal worker: the separation of work and home in the United States from the market revolution to 1950. Work and Occupations, 41(1), 18-39. https://doi.org/10.1177/0730888413515893
  15. Debrot, A., Siegler, S., Klumb, P. L., & Schoebi, D. (2018). Daily work stress and relationship satisfaction: Detachment affects romantic couples’ interactions quality. Journal of Happiness Studies: An Interdisciplinary Forum on Subjective Well-Being, 19(8), 2283–2301. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-017-9922-6
  16. Fellows, K. J., Chiu, H.-Y., Hill, E. J., & Hawkins, A. J. (2016). Work–family conflict and couple relationship quality: A meta-analytic study. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 37(4), 509–518. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-015-9450-7
  17. Gedikli, Ç. (2014, August 24–30). Female labor supply in Turkey: Do traditional gender roles matter? Paper presented at the 33rd General Conference of the International Association for Research in Income and Wealth (IARIW), Rotterdam, Netherlands.
  18. Goode, W. J. (1960). A theory of role strain. American Sociological Review, 25, 483–496. https://doi.org/10.2307/2092933
  19. Greenhaus, J. H., & Beutell, N. J. (1985). Sources and conflict between work and family roles. The Academy of Management Review, 10(1), 76–88. https://doi.org/10.2307/258214
  20. Grzywacz, J. G., & Marks, N. F. (2000). Reconceptualizing the work–family interface: An ecological perspective on the correlates of positive and negative spillover between work and family. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 5(1), 111–126. https://doi.org/10.1037/1076-8998.5.1.111
  21. Haddock, S. A., & Rattenborg, K. (2003). Benefits and challenges of dual-earning: perspectives of successful couples. American Journal of Family Therapy, 31(5), 325–344. https://doi.org/10.1080/01926180390223978
  22. Hofstede, G. (1980). Culture’s consequences: International differences in work-related values. Sage.
  23. Howe, G. W., Levy, M. L., & Caplan, R. D. (2004). Job loss and depressive symptoms in couples: Common stressors, stress transmission, or relationship disruption? Journal of Family Psychology, 18(4), 639–650. https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-3200.18.4.639
  24. Huang, Y., Mao, Y., & Zhan, Y. (2023). Spillover and crossover from work overload to spouse-rated work-to-family conflict: The moderating role of cross-role trait consistency. Fundamental Research, 3(6), 997-1004. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fmre.2023.02.027
  25. Kahn, R. L., Wolfe, D. M., Quinn, R. P., Snoek, J. D., & Rosenthal, R. A. (1964). Organizational stress: Studies in role conflict and ambiguity. John Wiley.
  26. Kashy, D. A., & Kenny, D. A. (2000). The analysis of data from dyads and groups. In H. T. Reis & C. M. Judd (Eds.), Handbook of research methods in social psychology (pp. 451–477). Cambridge University Press.
  27. Kaygusuz, E. D., Filiztekin, A., & Göker, Z. G. (2023). Türkiye’de kadınların i̇şgücüne katılımı: genel eğilimler, bölgesel ve demografik farklar, tutumlar. Retrieved December 28, 2024, from https://kadingirisimci.gov.tr/media/ffvjlczc/8-türkiye-de-kadınların-işgücüne-katılımı.pdf
  28. Kazmi, S. S. A., Hashim, M., Manzoor, S. R., & Kee, D. M. H. (2017). Effect of job stress on marital satisfaction: mediating role of work family conflict. City University Research Journal, 7(1), 30-41. Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/effect-job-stress-on-marital satisfaction/docview/2187964422/se-2
  29. Kenny, D. A., Kashy, D. A., & Cook, W. L. (2006). Dyadic data analysis. Guilford Press.
  30. Li, T., & Fung, H. H. (2011). The dynamic goal theory of marital satisfaction. Review of General Psychology, 15(3), 246-254. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0024694
  31. Ledermann, T., Rudaz, M., Wu, Q., & Cui, M. (2022). Determine power and sample size for the simple and mediation Actor–Partner Interdependence Model. Family Relations, 71(4), 1452–1469. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12644
  32. Liang, H. L. (2015). Are you tired? Spillover and crossover effects of emotional exhaustion on the family domain.Asian Journal of Social Psychology, 18(1), 22-32. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajsp.12075
  33. Martinez-Corts, I., Demerouti, E., Bakker, A. B., & Boz, M. (2015). Spillover of interpersonal conflicts from work into nonwork: A daily diary study. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 20(3), 326–337. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0038661
  34. Mauno, S., & Kinnunen, U. (1999). The effects of job stressors on marital satisfaction in Finnish dual-earner couples. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 20(6), 879–895. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1379(199911)20:6 3.0.CO;2-2
  35. Author names hidden for anonymity (under review). Enhancing Marital Satisfaction: Positive Dyadic Coping’s Moderator Role of Regulating Psychological Symptoms in Dual-career Marriages.
  36. Özgülük Üçok, S. B., & Hatipoğlu-Sümer, Z. (2023). Dual-career marriages: The interplay
  37. among dual-career lifestyle, satisfaction, relationship investments and commitment. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 52(5), 939–954. https://doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2023.2247546
  38. Perry‐Jenkins, M., & Wadsworth, S. M. (2017). Work and family research and theory: Review
  39. and analysis from an ecological perspective. Journal of Family Theory & Review, 9(2), 219–237. https://doi.org/10.1111/jftr.12188
  40. Pixley, J.E., & Moen, P. (2003). Prioritizing careers. In P. Moen (Ed.), It's about time: Couples and career (pp. 183-200). Cornell University Press.
  41. Price, R. H., Friedland, D. S., & Vinokur, A. D. (1998). Job loss: Hard times and eroded identity. In J. H. Harvey (Ed.), Perspectives on loss: A sourcebook (pp. 303–316). Brunner/Mazel.
  42. Radcliffe, L., Cassell, C., & Spencer, L. (2023). Work-family habits? Exploring the persistence of traditional work-family decision making in dual-earner couples. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 145, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2023.103914
  43. Randall, A. K., & Bodenmann, G. (2009). The role of stress on close relationships and marital satisfaction. Clinical Psychology Review, 29(2), 105-115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2008.10.004
  44. Rapoport, R., & Rapoport, R. N. (1969). The dual career family: A variant pattern and social change. Human Relations, 22(1), 3-30. https://doi.org/10.1177/001872676902200101
  45. Roehling, P. V., Moen, P. & Batt, R. (2003). Spillover, In P. Moen (ed.), It’s About Time: Couples and Careers. ILR Press.
  46. Saginak, K. A., & Saginak, M. A. (2005). Balancing Work and Family: Equity, Gender, and Marital Satisfaction. The Family Journal, 13(2), 162-166. https://doi.org/10.1177/1066480704273230
  47. Sakallı Uğurlu, N., Türkoğlu, B., & Kuzlak, A. (2018). How are women and men perceived? Structure of gender stereotypes in contemporary Turkey. Nesne Psikoloji Dergisi, 13(6), 309–336. https://doi.org/10.7816/nesne-06-13-04
  48. Sakallı Uğurlu, N., Türkoğlu, B., Kuzlak, A., & Gupta, A. (2021). Stereotypes of single and married women and men in Turkish culture. Current Psychology: A Journal for Diverse Perspectives on Diverse Psychological Issues, 40(1), 213–225. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-018-9920-9
  49. Schnettler, B., Miranda-Zapata, E., Grunert, K. G., Lobos, G., Lapo, M., & Hueche, C. (2021). Testing the spillover-crossover model between work-life balance and satisfaction in different domains of life in dual-earner households. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 16(4), 1475–1501. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-020-09828-z
  50. Scurry, T. & Clarke, M. (2022). Navigating dual-careers: the challenge for Professional couples. Personnel Review, 51(7),1823-1840. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-05-2020-0367
  51. Shimazu, A., Kubota, K., Bakker, A., Demerouti, E., Shimada, K., & Kawakami, N. (2013). Work-to-family conflict and family-to-work conflict among Japanese dual-earner couples with preschool children: a spillover-crossover perspective. Journal of Occupational Health, 55(4), 234–243. https://doi.org/10.1539/joh.12-0252-oa
  52. Shockley, K. M., Shen, W., & Dodd, H. (2025). Dual-earner couples. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 12, 369–394. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-110622-053405
  53. Schulz, M. S., Cowan, P. A., Cowan, C. P., & Brennan, R. T. (2004). Coming home upset: Gender, marital satisfaction, and the daily spillover of workday experience into couple interactions. Journal of Family Psychology, 18(1), 250–263. https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-3200.18.1.250
  54. Story, L. B., & Repetti, R. (2006). Daily occupational stressors and marital behavior. Journal of Family Psychology, 20(4), 690–700. https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-3200.20.4.690
  55. Sun, X., McHale, S. M., Crouter, A. C., & Jones, D. E. (2017). Longitudinal links between work experiences and marital satisfaction in African American dual-earner couples. Journal of Family Psychology, 31(8), 1029–1039. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000381
  56. Tatar, A. (2020). Madde yanıt kuramıyla A İş Stresi Ölçeği-20’nin geliştirilmesi: Güvenirlik ve geçerlilik çalışması [Development of A Job Stress Scale-20 by using Item Response Theory: Study of reliability and validity]. Anadolu Psikiyatri Dergisi, 21(1), 14-22. https://doi.org/10.5455/apd.77173
  57. Tavakol, Z., Behboodi Moghadam, Z., Nikbakht Nasrabadi, A., Salehiniya, H., & Rezaei, E. (2017). A Review of the factors associated with marital satisfaction. Galen Medical Journal, 6(3), e641. https://doi.org/10.31661/gmj.v6i3.641
  58. ten Brummelhuis, L. L., Haar, J. M., & van der Lippe, T. (2010). Crossover of distress due to work and family demands in dual-earner couples: A dyadic analysis. Work & Stress, 24(4), 324–341. https://doi.org/10.1080/02678373.2010.533553
  59. ten Brummelhuis, L. L., & Greenhaus, J. H. (2018). How role jugglers maintain relationships at home and at work: A gender comparison. Journal of Applied Psychology, 103(12), 1265–1282. https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0000340
  60. Triandis, H. C. (1995). Individualism & collectivism. Westview Press.
  61. Turkish Statistical Institute. (2025) Labor force statistics, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2025, from https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Bulten/Index?p=Isgucu-Istatistikleri-2024-54059
  62. Voydanoff, P. (2005). Work demands and work-to-family and family-to-work conflict: Direct and indirect relationships. Journal of Family Issues, 26(6), 707–726. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X05277516
  63. Westman, M. (2006). Crossover of stress and strain in the work-family context. In F. Jones, R. J. Burke, & M. Westman (Eds.), Work-life balance: A psychological perspective (pp. 163–184). Psychology Press.
  64. Westman, M. (2001). Stress and strain crossover. Human Relations, 54(6), 717-751. https://doi.org/10.1177/0018726701546002
  65. Westman, M., Etzion, D., & Horovitz, S. (2004). The toll of unemployment does not stop with the unemployed. Human Relations, 57(7), 823-844. https://doi.org/10.1177/0018726704045767
  66. Yogev, S. (1986). Relationships between stress and marital satisfaction among dual-earner couples. Women & Therapy, 5(2–3), 313–330. https://doi.org/10.1300/J015V05N02_29