FINANCIAL EFFECT ON THE ADJUSTMENT OF SPOUSES DURING COVID 19 LOCKDOWN

The objectives of this study was to investigate whether individuals suffer from fear of financial situation and uncertainty, to investigate the level of adjustment of spouses, to investigate support extended by the other family members and, to analyse whether the support extended by the other family members moderates the relationship between individuals' fears on financial situation/uncertainty and, the respective level of adjustment of spouses. The data collected from an online survey, through a random sample of 300 adults aged 25 years and older residing in the Western Province, Sri Lanka were analysed. A conceptual model was developed and variables such as fear of financial situation, uncertainty and extended family support available for spouses was reviewed in relation to the adjustment of spouses. Four hypotheses were established. Statistical analysis wer performed to identify moderator effect of resources available for spouses. It were identified that COVID-19 created fear of financial situation and uncertainty among married couples and, it was concluded that support provided from their respective families contributed to adjustment of Sri Lankan spouses. A key limitation was that there was no equal participation from both genders. Future research may include replicating the same study with a more diverse sample. Future researchers can conduct a follow-up study to identify long-term effects of COVID-19 on Sri Lankan married couples.