Home Sweet Home: Does Family Physical Environment Impact Couple Relationship Quality

This study aimed to explore the relationship between family physical environment and couple relationship quality. The study analyzed data from 698 families who participated in both year 3 and year 5 surveys of the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS). Multivariate regression model was run to test if family physical environment at year 3 was related to couple relationship quality at year 5, while controlling for a series of confounding variables. Results indicated that adverse family physical environment (B = −0.39, 95% CI = −0.70 – -0.09), number of children, maternal engagement with child, and family adversities were all significant predictors of reduced couple relationship quality. This study implies that there is significant negative association between adverse family physical environment and couple’s relationship quality. Family physical environment should be considered an important factor in the assessment and treatment of couple relationships.