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Work Arrangements and Marriage.


Generally, spending more time on the job is associated with an increase in work-spouse conflict which, in turn, is associated with less marital satisfaction. This is especially so when people are working more hours than they desire. People report increased conflict when they are working more hours than their spouses would prefer. Still, research findings on the effects of increased work hours are mixed. While some research indicates that wives' increased work hours were associated strongly with a greater likelihood of divorce, other research suggests that husbands' increased work hours were associated with a lower risk of divorce, even when husbands were working overtime. So it may be important to consider whether it is husbands' or wives' work hours that is at issue to understand the relationship between increased work hours and marriage. Also, differences in findings may reflect differences in approaches taken in studies. Some studies look at dual-earner couples, while others may look at couples in which only one spouse is working. (Author abstract, modified).