Unconditional cash transfers and romantic relationship outcomes: A randomized controlled trial.

Abstract

Couples living with low incomes in the United States experience greater relational distress relative to couples with more financial resources. Drawing from the family stress model, which argues that economic strain is a catalyst for relational distress, one approach to improve the relationships of couples with low incomes might be addressing and ameliorating families' financial difficulties. This study tested this possibility using secondary data from the Baby's First Years project, a randomized controlled trial of ongoing unconditional cash transfers to mothers. We examined the impact of receiving $333/month (relative to $20/month in a control group) on mothers' relationship quality and relationship status at 1 and 2 years postrandomization, which included the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Multigroup models and path analyses were employed to investigate moderators and potential mechanisms contributing to differences across conditions. Randomization into the higher cash condition was not associated with relationship quality at Year 1 (b = -0.02, p = .792) or Year 2 (b = -0.02, p = .613). Likewise, there were no significant direct effects of cash assistance on relationship status at Year 1 (OR = 0.94, 95% CI [0.62, 1.42]) or Year 2 (OR = 0.79, 95% CI [0.52, 1.20]). There was minimal evidence that effects were significant for a subset of mothers, and there were no significant indirect effects on the relational outcomes through individual or economic factors. Results of this study indicate that additional resources are likely needed to alleviate low-income couples' financial strain and improve intimate bonds. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).