Couples, Conflict and Money: An Integrative and Attachment-Based View
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Authors
Atkins, Nicole
Issue Date
2025-08-18
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
financial wellness , relationship satisfaction , financial conflict , financial therapy , couples finance , attachment theory , systems theory
Alternative Title
Abstract
This capstone examines the intersection between financial wellness and romantic relationship health, with a particular focus on how therapists can support couples navigating financial conflict. Financial concerns are consistently cited as one of the most frequent and distressing sources of conflict in intimate relationships, and these issues are often minimized or avoided in relational contexts (Meyer & Sledge, 2022; Mishra et al., 2025; Novak & Johnson, 2017). Drawing on an integrative framework grounded in attachment and systems theories, this capstone examines how money reflects deeper emotional needs, relational patterns, and systemic influences (Peetz et al., 2023; Shapiro, 2007). The topic is especially relevant in the Canadian context, where national surveys indicate that financial stress is both widespread and impactful (Foran, 2024; FP Canada, 2024; Ipsos, 2024). Financial conflicts can carry emotional weight for individuals and couples, and there are gaps in tools and training to address them in therapeutic settings. This capstone offers psychoeducational insights and a framework for counsellors supporting couples experiencing financial conflicts. A key contribution of this capstone is the Relational Integration of Systems and Emotion (RISE) framework, which synthesizes attachment and systems theory to help therapists address financial concerns as relational issues shaped by emotional, relational, and systemic dynamics rather than purely logistical problems.
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Citation
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License
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States
openAccess
openAccess