Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of perceived economic stress & marital conflict on the quality of life under economic crisis in Korea. Data were collected from 236 couples during May and June 1998, when the Korean economy was under the control of International Monetary Fund (IMF). Many couples reported the unstability of job and the experience of economic strain events. However, the perceived level of marital conflict and the quality of life were not so bad. Husbands perceived economic stress and quality of life higher than wives did. The path analysis showed gender difference in the perceived economic stress as well as in the indirect effect of economic strain events on the quality of life through economic stress and marital conflict. In addition, family income directly affected the quality of life for husbands, but not for wives.

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