Exploring the Role of Partners and Spouses in the Decisions of Social Service Clients.

This issue brief focuses on the role of partners and spouses in the decision-making processes of social service clients. Using survey data, direct observation of couple interactions, and physiological measurement, findings suggest that the decisions of individuals receiving public assistance—married or unmarried—are affected by their partners. If confirmed by future research, these results have implications for the delivery, content, and outcome measurement of social services for low-income families.