<![CDATA[Educational background and household economic conditions may influence marital relationship quality through differences in financial decision-making and individual economic interests. However, the role of economic egoism in explaining these relationships remains insufficiently explored among married lecturers in Indonesia. This study aimed to examine the influence of educational background and household economic conditions on marital relationship quality, with economic egoism as a mediating variable. A quantitative explanatory design was employed, involving 60 married lecturers selected through purposive sampling from public and private higher education institutions in South Kalimantan, Indonesia. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires with a five-point Likert scale and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. The results showed that educational background and household economic conditions had positive and significant effects on economic egoism, while economic egoism had a negative and significant effect on marital relationship quality. Furthermore, economic egoism significantly mediated the relationships of educational background and household economic conditions with marital relationship quality. Specifically, the indirect effect of household economic conditions on marital relationship quality was −0.156 (t = 2.729, p = 0.006). These findings highlight economic egoism as an important behavioral mechanism linking household economic circumstances and educational background to marital relationship quality. The study contributes to family economics research by integrating educational, economic, and behavioral perspectives and offers practical insights for promoting collaborative financial decision-making and harmonious marital relationships.]]>
