Family, friends, finance. An analysis of income and attachment in friendships and marriage

This thesis examines the effect of varying income levels on the attachment of men and women to friends and their spouse. It is hypothesized in this thesis that family income will impact men and women differently. Additionally, it is hypothesized that the income categories will show different attachment issues among spousal attachments and friendships. Through analysis of data collected in the year 2000, contained in the The Marital Instability Over the Life Course Study wave 6, part one of a two-part series entitled Work and Family Life Study, I examine the relationship between family income and attachment in both men and women, and explore the implications of these patterns for the individuals. The results show that individuals in different income brackets are prone to different marital and friendship troubles. Further, the data shows men and women within the same income bracket can display differences in how income impacts their friendships and marriage. This thesis serves as a first step to identify the impact of income on individual relationships and highlights multiple correlates which deserve more in-depth analysis in the future.