Effects of retirement on marital conflict tactics

This study explores whether spouses' retirement influences their use of sel ected conflict tactics using panel data from the National Survey of Familie s and Households (N = 559 couples). The data indicate that husbands but not wives perceive a decline in heated arguments on the wife's retirement. Thi s change is partially due to a decline in disagreements. In addition, husba nds' retirement appears to enhance engagement in calm discussions by the hu sband if either spouse is strongly attached to the marriage, whereas low at tachment of either spouse is linked to a decline in calm discussions after the husband's retirement. Retirement-related changes in the use of avoidanc e tactics are contingent on spouses' dependence on the relationship.