Relationship quality among cohabitors and marrieds in older adulthood

Abstract

The rapid growth in cohabitation in recent decades has coincided with a burgeoning literature on the topic. Yet despite a sustained increase in cohabitation among middle-aged and older adults, this group has received little research attention. Close relationships are integral to well-being and the quality of these relationships has consequences for health, especially among older adults. We use data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP), a nationally representative sample of 3005 people ages 57–85 to compare the relationship quality of older cohabitors versus marrieds. The two groups are remarkably similar. Cohabitors and marrieds do not significantly differ in their reports of emotional satisfaction, pleasure, openness, time spent together, criticism, and demands. Cohabitors are less likely than marrieds to report that their relationship is very happy. There is some evidence of gender by union type differences. Cohabiting unions among older adults tend to be of relatively long duration. Overall, these results indicate that cohabitation may operate as an alternative to marriage for older adults.

Understanding the Role of Relationship Maintenance in Enduring Couple Partnerships in Later Adulthood

“…While marital happiness (Brown & Kawamura, 2010) and relationship maintenance (Dindia & Baxter, 1987) have been found to be inversely related to relationship duration, it was not significant in our study. Individuals in 20 + year relationships (83%) dominated our sample, but they were also predominately happy in their relationships.…”

“…Previous findings suggested that high levels of religiosity are positively correlated with relationship quality (Mahoney, Pargament, Tarakeshwar, & Swank, 2001), and attendance at religious services was associated with higher levels of happiness (Brown & Kawamura, 2010). Our findings help substantiate this evidence for later adulthood in terms of its effect on relationship maintenance.…”

“…The role of relationship maintenance and personal well-being has not been examined, but could shape the extent to which maintenance strategies are used. Another key factor is relationship duration, which is negatively associated with both relationship satisfaction (Brown & Kawamura, 2010) and relationship maintenance (Dindia & Baxter, 1987). A recent meta-analysis found that relationship duration was related to a decrease in three specific types of maintenance strategies-positivity, openness, and assurances (Ogolsky & Bowers, 2012).…”

Disagreements among cohabiting and married couples in 22 European countries

“…In contrast, research indicates that gender roles are less structured in cohabitive relationships (Batalova and Cohen 2002). Empirical results show that gender is a salient factor in relationship quality among older cohabiting and married couples (Brown and Kawamura 2010), with cohabiting men reporting lower quality in their relationship than married men. Ruppanner (2010), in her analysis of housework conflict, did not specifically differentiate between marital and cohabiting relationships.…”

Do co-residence and intentions make a difference? Relationship satisfaction in married, cohabiting, and living apart together couples in four countries

“…These changes highlight the importance of examining variations in relationship experiences and outcomes, such as relationship satisfaction, across union types. A large and growing body of research is devoted to explaining differences in relationship stability, quality, and satisfaction for de facto cohabiters (henceforth referred to as cohabiters) compared to married couples (Brown 2003;Brown and Kawamura 2010;Liefbroer and Dourleijn 2006). Findings from these studies show higher levels of relationship satisfaction amongst married couples compared to cohabiters, although this varies depending on the marital intentions of cohabiters, with cohabiters intending to marry showing fewer differences in wellbeing compared to married couples (Brown 2003).…”