THEORY AND RESEARCHFIGURE 3 Causal Diagrams
+++++++a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
ResourcesResourcesStressStressStressFightingFightingStressStressWell-Adjusted
ChildrenDivorceWell-Adjusted
ChildrenDivorceDivorceDivorceDivorceExplanation of relationship in each diagram
a.Level of stress (financial, social, emotional, etc.) is positively associated with the likelihood that a couple will
divorce.
b.Level of stress is positively associated with the likelihood that a couple will divorce, but the amount of resources
(financial, social, emotional, etc.) they possess is negatively associated with it.
c.Level of stress is positively associated with the frequency of fighting by a couple, which is associated with
the likelihood that the couple will divorce.
d.Level of stress is positively associated with the likelihood that a couple will divorce and negatively associated
with the likelihood that the couple will have emotionally well-adjusted children. In addition, the divorce pro-
cess itself has a negative effect on the emotional adjustment of children.
e.Level of stress and amount of resources are negatively associated with each other (i.e., people who tend
to have many resources are less likely to experience or better able to deal with stress). Level of stress is
positively associated with the frequency of fighting by a couple, but the amount of resources is negatively
associated with it. Amount of fighting is positively associated with the likelihood that a couple will divorce.
Both fighting and the divorce itself are negatively associated with the likelihood that the couple will have
emotionally well-adjusted children.