"The different effects of "living together

Determining and comparing types of cohabiting couples

Bibliographic Data

ID2920701
AuthorsBrian J Willoughby (0000-0002-3844-661X, Brigham Young University, corresponding author), Jason S Carroll (0000-0003-3643-0080, Brigham Young University), Dean Busby (0000-0002-1943-7056, Brigham Young University), Dean M Busby
Year2012
Volume29
Issue3
Pages397-419
Publication date2012-05-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Social and Personal Relationships (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0265-4075 • E-ISSN: 1460-3608
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0265407511431184
OpenAlexW2097500794
LanguageEN
Citations received17
References cited46

Utilizing a sample of 1365 never-married cohabiting couples, we developed a typology of premarital cohabitation. Latent class analysis was used to create a five-class model of cohabiting couples who were then compared to engaged and non-engaged non-cohabiting couples on measures of interpersonal dynamics and relational outcomes. Results suggested that being in different types of cohabiting relationships was associated with different risks and benefits in terms of relational outcomes. Engaged cohabiting couples who have an agreed trajectory toward marriage appear to do as well, or better, than other types of couples. Cohabiting couples who are not utilizing cohabitation as a current pathway toward marriage appeared very similar to non-cohabiting dating couples. It was also found that couples with ambiguity regarding their perceived movement toward marriage were at risk for negative relationship outcomes compared to other couple types

Ambiguity · Cohabitation · Developmental psychology · Interpersonal communication · Interpersonal relationship · Latent class model · Political science · Sociology · Typology · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Family Dynamics and Relationships · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving · Psychology · Social Psychology

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