Traditionally, men earned more than women. And in a certain sense, such an environment was comfortable for the patriarchal society. But nowadays, the financial dynamics in marriages have changed and women can earn more than their husbands. Research has addressed this and shown how changing financial roles harm the mental health of couples, especially men.
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Women outnumber men
A study shows that there is a growing trend worldwide for wives to earn more than their husbands. This is especially true for countries such as the United States and Sweden, which have seen 25% growth since the early 2000s. But until now, no study had assessed the psychological consequences of this shift.
Researchers from Durham University studied heterosexual couples in Sweden, focusing on those who got married in 2021, with an average age of 37. Over a 10-year follow-up period, or until divorce occurred in about 20% of cases, the researchers identified a disturbing trend. When a wife earns more than her husband, both partners tend to experience mental health problems, especially the husband.
The study went on to explain that the odds of receiving a mental health diagnosis increased by 8% in couples followed by researchers, and by 11% in men. For husbands, substance use disorders were the most common diagnoses, while wives were more likely to have stress-related conditions.
Impact on mental health
There is a positive relationship between income and mental health. As income increases, people’s mental health tends to improve as the extra cash flow allows them to lead a more comfortable lifestyle, making everyday life easier. However, if only the wife’s income is considered, this relationship becomes negative, which has a negative effect on the mental health of the man.
This suggests that income is not only about financial stability, but also about power dynamics in relationships. Men may feel robbed or less confident when their wives start earning more than they do. This insecurity causes them to turn to substance abuse.
Women also suffer from the mental impact as they may not feel adequate support from their husbands. They are constantly under stress, as research has shown, women suffer from stressful conditions.
This reaction to women being more likely to earn stems from deep-rooted societal expectations where the traditional role of men is seen as the primary breadwinner, while women are expected to play a caregiving or support role.
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