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Abstract:
Premarital cohabitation has consistently been found to be associated with increased risk for divorce and marital distress in the United States. Two explanations for this "cohabitation effect" are discussed: selection and experience. We present an empirically based view of how the experience of cohabitation may increase risk for relationship distress or divorce for some people beyond what is accounted for by selection. Specifically, using a commitment framework, we suggest that some couples who otherwise would not have married end up married because of the inertia of cohabitation. We discuss practice implications for relationship transitions that are characterized more by sliding than deciding, especially where a transition such as cohabitation increases inertia to remain in a relationship regardless of quality or fit.
Key Words: cohabitation, commitment, divorce, marriage, relationships.
The increase in cohabitation is one of the most significant shifts in family demographics of the past century (Smock, 2000). Cohabitation has become common, with an estimated 50% (Bumpass & Lu, 2000) to over 60% (Stanley, Whitton, & Markman, 2004) of couples living together before marriage in the United States. Yet, cohabitation prior to marriage has been consistently associated with poorer marital communication quality, lower marital satisfaction, higher levels of domestic violence, and greater probability of divorce in U.S. samples (e.g., Cohan & Kleinbaum, 2002; Kamp Dush, Cohan, & Amato, 2003; Kline et al., 2004; Stafford, Kline, & Rankin, 2004). Importantly, even though premarital cohabitation is now considered normative, recent studies have suggested that the associated risks are not abating (e.g., Kamp Dush et al., 2003). The association between premarital cohabitation and poorer marital outcomes is known as the "cohabitation effect." We begin with a brief review of research on this effect and explanations for it. Then, we detail an innovative and empirically derived perspective of why the effect occurs for some couples. The perspective we put forth not only can add to the explanation of the cohabitation effect but also suggests more generally that the way couples go through major relationship transitions may be associated with subsequent risk and outcomes. Finally, we discuss implications for research and practice. Throughout, we draw on commitment theory for help in understanding both cohabitation and risks associated with other relationship transitions.
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