Partnership Dissolution Research Articles

Sibling transmission of relationship breakup: Does partnership type matter?

Previous research has highlighted the impact of social network partners on individuals’ attitudes and behaviors and the significant role that siblings often play in providing lifelong support, especially in times of important life events. However, a few studies have examined the intragenerational transmission of divorce risks. Given the increasing prevalence of unmarried cohabitation, however, no study has yet unraveled the link between siblings’ relationship breakups in general, and neither has the impact of siblings’ partnership type and demographic characteristics been investigated. This study aims to understand cross-sibling influence on relationship breakup, including both divorce and separation, and whether sibling similarity in partnership type and demographic traits explain the social influence processes. We used longitudinal data from the Belgian population register and family fixed-effects event history analysis. Partnered individuals ( N = 67,113) and their siblings were followed between 1998 and 2018. The results revealed that an individual’s likelihood of experiencing a union dissolution was lower following that of a sibling. This was particularly pronounced among siblings belonging to the same partnership type (both married or both cohabiting) and close-in-age siblings. For instance, after a sibling’s separation from a cohabitation, cohabiters were at lower odds of dissolving their union than the married, especially when they had a small age gap. The findings indicate that accounting for the time-constant factors originating from the family context, a sibling’s breakup might have a protective impact on one’s own relationship status and duration. The study contributes to the growing knowledge on intragenerational transmission of partnership dissolution.

Predictors of male loneliness across life stages: an Australian study of longitudinal data

BackgroundDespite growing recognition of loneliness as a global public health concern, research on its occurrence and precipitants among men across different life stages remains limited and inconclusive. This study aims to address this gap by investigating the prevalence and predictors of loneliness among a large, representative data set of Australian adult men.MethodsThe study used longitudinal data from waves 2–21 of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, including men aged 15–98. Estimating linear fixed effects regressions that account for unobserved time-invariant individual heterogeneity, a single-item measure of loneliness was regressed on a set of selected explanatory variables over different parts of the life course.ResultsIncreased social isolation, romantic partnership dissolution, having a long-term disability, and stronger beliefs that the man, rather than the woman, should be the breadwinner of the household, are associated with greater loneliness. Frequent social connection, having a romantic partner, and high neighbourhood satisfaction are protective against loneliness. The findings also reveal several differences in the predictors of loneliness over the life course. Job security is especially important for younger men, whereas for older men volunteering and less conservative gender role attitudes are important factors that can decrease loneliness.ConclusionsThe results emphasise the need to consider age-specific factors and societal expectations in understanding and addressing loneliness amongst men. Additionally, the findings underscore the importance of raising awareness about the impact of societal norms and expectations on men's mental health. The results offer valuable insights for policymakers, healthcare providers, and researchers to develop effective strategies and support systems to combat loneliness and promote well-being among men.

Income Trajectories and Precarity in Later life

This paper captures trajectories of income in later-life and considers how membership of particular income trajectories is patterned by social class, sex and precarity in housing, pensions relationships, care and retirement. Using the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (2002-19) for over-50s, latent class analysis identifies 10 income trajectory clusters and on the basis of comparable income levels from around statutory retirement age (65), we further condense these clusters to four income trajectory groups of ‘Luxury’ (at or above £500 per week in retirement; 14%), Comfortable (£300-£500 per week in retirement; 28%), ‘Boom-to-Bust’ (increasing to £600 per week at age 70, falling to around £200 over age 80; 4%) and ‘Always Poor’ (typically less than £300 per week in retirement; 54%). Experiences of precarity and lower socio-economic position are independently associated with greater relative risks of being ‘Always Poor’ and lower relative risks of being in the ‘Luxury’ group, compared to the ‘Comfortable’ group. For example, those who always rent a house are 2 times (p < 0.001) more likely to be ‘Always Poor’ and 0.32 times (p < 0.001) less likely to be in the ‘Luxury’ than ‘Comfortable group. Women are at more risk of being ‘Always Poor’ (RRR = 1.34, p < 0.001) in an unadjusted model, but the association attenuates and is not significant after controlling for pensions and partnership dissolution. Within groups, there are differences in the extent of volatility in income trajectories around retirement age across the ten clusters, that is associated with social class, pension type, involuntary retirement and partnership dissolution.

Cohabitation vs. Marriage: Mating Strategies by Education in The USA

Abstract In this paper, I analyze the determinants of cohabitation, marriage, and divorce in the USA. I first document that college graduates are more likely to marry, and less likely to cohabit and divorce, than non-college educated individuals. To account for these facts within a unified framework, I build and estimate a life-cycle model of partnership formation and dissolution where income processes differ by gender and education. I find that the main driver of education-based differences in mating strategies is that the gender wage gap is larger among college graduates. Since divorce is more costly than ending a cohabitation, marriages tend to be more stable and therefore offer women more protection from human capital depreciation during non-employment. Consequently, marriage is a more effective means of enforcing household specialization. Since college graduates have more room for household specialization, they are more likely to choose marriage. The variance of income shocks, which affects the demand for consumption insurance, is larger among college graduates. Even if the variance of income shocks could potentially explain partnership choices, simulations suggest a small role of income volatility.

Efficient resolution of partnership disputes

AbstractWe study efficient resolution of partnership disputes in which, departing from the partnership dissolution literature, dissolution need not be efficient. We characterize which disputes can be resolved efficiently under both one‐ and two‐sided private information, and show that unless a partnership is sufficiently ineffective, efficient resolution is impossible. We propose simple dispute‐resolution procedures implementing the efficient outcome whenever possible. Finally, we characterize second‐best mechanisms when efficient resolution is impossible and private information is one sided.

Intraspecific behavior patterns of hoary fox (Lycalopex vetulus), a solitary canid endemic to Cerrado, Central Brazil

ABSTRACT The hoary fox, Lycalopex vetulus, is a small insectivorous canid endemic to grasslands of Central Brazil. Herein we characterize hoary fox social behavior, based on qualitative and quantitative differences in intraspecific communication among males, females, and subadults. A family group, two reproductive pairs and three other adult individuals of unidentified social status were directly observed from 1995 to 2001, for the continuous recording of all occurrences of behavioral events. Hoary fox exhibited behaviors related to communication and food consumption. A total of 4,240 behavioral events were recorded, most in the categories ‘Consumption’ (58%) and ‘Olfactory’ (23%). The frequencies of signaling types varied among individuals according to sex, age, and socioecological phase. Olfactory signalings were more frequent in adult males, and during the Mating and Dispersal phases. Acoustic signalings were more frequent in adult females and individuals rearing the young. ‘Consumption’ and ‘Tactile’ behaviors were more frequent in subadults. The hoary fox intraspecific communication is characteristic of solitary canids, but during mating season and rearing period, individuals become more ‘socialized.’ Data on courtship and mating, partnership dissolution phase, and the breakup of the family group until young dispersal, are necessary for a better understanding of intraspecific communication of the hoary fox.

Reinvigorating research on divorce: reflexivity, agency and regulation in marriage and civil partnership dissolution

There is a dearth of research on the dissolution of legally formalised same-sex relationships, which can be partly explained by same-sex marriage and civil partnership being relatively recent possibilities. However, it is also the case that divorce as a topic of research has been marginalised in the renewed interest in family and relationships that has focused on diverse intimacies, family forms, family practices, friendships and personal life. This article analyses data from a qualitative study of same-sex divorce and civil partnership dissolution to consider the reasons that partners give for the ending of their formalised relationships. We argue that our analysis illuminates the need to reinvigorate research on divorce and dissolution more generally to fully understand changing social norms as they concern marriage and similar legal arrangements. We do this by analysing the three main reasons our study participants gave for the dissolution of their relationships: finances, infidelity and wellbeing. Such reasons can be read in part through a gendered lens as previous research has tended to do, but they also go well beyond gender to provide insights into how marriage and relationship ideals, aspirations and practices are being reconfigured contemporarily.

Non-Standard Employment and Partnership Dissolution: A Comparison of Nonmarital Cohabitations and Marriages

This paper investigates the link between non-standard employment (NSE) and the risk of partnership dissolution, applying event history analysis to data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) and the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey for the period 2001–2016. It moves beyond previous studies by (a) considering a broader range of employment types, including fixed-term and casual contracts, temporary agency work and part-time work, and (b) by comparing the effect of NSE in nonmarital cohabitations and marriages. The results show that the effect differs by employment type, gender and partnership type. For example, among women, part-time work is associated with a decreased dissolution risk compared to full-time work in marriages but not in cohabitations. Temporary employment is linked to increased dissolution risks compared to permanent employment in both partnership types, with the association partly being stronger for casual and/or agency work than for fixed-term contracts.

Understanding the early life mediators behind the intergenerational transmission of partnership dissolution.

Whilst research has demonstrated an intergenerational transmission of partnership dissolution, there is limited evidence as to the early life course pathways through which these associations operate, and whether these differ by gender. Many studies have not considered prospective data from early childhood, thus potentially neglecting the importance of the early childhood period in explaining this intergenerational transmission. Given that serial partnering has become increasingly commonplace it is important research considers those who experience multiple partnership dissolution. This paper examines, using data from the 1970 British Birth Cohort Study, the early life mediators underpinning the association between parental separation and the number of offspring partnership dissolutions. Among both men and women there is a significant unadjusted relationship between parental separation and the experience of multiple partnership dissolutions in adulthood. These associations were reduced once parental confounders and childhood mediators are included. Formal mediation analyses demonstrated that early life mediators accounted for more of the association in men than women. Mediators included childhood living standards, and for men child cognition and child behaviour, and for women maternal mental wellbeing. Parental separation and many early life mediators were related to the likelihood of multiple partnership dissolutions through age at first partnership.

Breaking-up should not be hard to do! Designing contracts to avoid wars of attrition

The partnership dissolution literature has almost entirely focused on the properties of exit mechanisms in isolation taking other features of the break-up process as given. We consider a simple, two-stage model of the dissolution process where both the decision to dissolve and the roles the partners play in the exit mechanism are endogenously determined according to a “triggering rule.” We find certain pairings of triggering rules and exit mechanisms can lead to a war of attrition which inefficiently prolongs the dissolution process. However, since these theoretical predictions require sophisticated reasoning and backward induction, it is unclear whether the theory has any empirical validity. We therefore conduct a laboratory experiment to explore this question. Treatments are selected to test the main predictions of the model using combinations of exit mechanisms and triggering rules commonly seen in practice. The experimental results are largely supportive of the underlying theoretical predictions.

‘I still desire to have a child’: a qualitative analysis of intersectional HIV- and childlessness-related stigma in rural southwestern Uganda

This study explored the intersecting forms of stigma experienced by HIV-serodifferent couples with unmet reproductive goals in rural Uganda. The parent mixed-methods study, which included 131 HIV-exposed women with plans for pregnancy, offered comprehensive HIV prevention counselling and care over a nine-month period. In-depth interviews were conducted with 37 women and seven male partners to explore care experiences and the use of safer conception strategies. This secondary analysis explored how challenges conceiving informed pregnancy plans and HIV prevention behaviours. The following themes were developed (1) partnership conflicts arise from HIV- and infertility-related forms of stigma, contributing to gender-based violence, partnership dissolution and the pursuit of new partners; (2) cultural and gender norms pressure men and women to conceive and maintain partnerships, which is complicated by the stigma directed towards serodifferent couples; (3) frustration with low partner participation in safer conception strategies led to the decreased use of these methods of HIV prevention; (4) health care provider support promotes continued hope of conception and helps overcome stigma. In HIV-affected partnerships, these intersecting forms of stigma may impact HIV prevention. Seeking to fulfil their reproductive needs, partners may increase HIV transmission opportunities as they engage in condomless sex with additional partners and decrease adherence to prevention strategies. Future research programmes should consider the integration of fertility counselling with reproductive and sexual health care.

Abortion: Life-Course Stages and Disruptive Life Events

AbstractPregnancy termination and its interplay with critical life stages and events has rarely been subjected to careful scrutiny in the social sciences, mainly due to a lack of high-quality survey data. Using the first eleven waves (2008–2018) of the German Family Panel Study (pairfam) and employing linear probability models, we examine women and also men with partners who either had induced abortion (N=260 women; N=170 men) or became parents (N=1478 women; N=1220 men). We frame abortion as a social process in which life circumstances and disruptive life events fundamentally shape the decision to carry a pregnancy to term or to discontinue it. We find that teenage or late pregnancy, educational enrollment, previous children, partnership dissolution, and economic uncertainty are associated with induced abortion. Our evidence suggests that abortion decisions are powerfully shaped by life-course contingencies and their complex intertwining.

Childhood behaviours and adverse economic and social outcomes – can we improve detection and prevention?

IntroductionDisruptive behaviours underpin the most prevalent and costly psychiatric disorders in youth including ADHD and conduct disorder. Yet the association between childhood behavioural problems and economic and social outcomes in adulthood are rarely examined in a population-based samples where early detection and prevention may be possible.ObjectivesTo examine the association childhood behavioural problems and economic and social outcomes from age 18-35 years across three studies.MethodsThis study daws on 30-year Canadian birth cohort (n=3017) linked to government tax return records. Behavioural assessments – for inattention, hyperactivity, opposition, aggression, anxiety and prosociality – were prospectively obtained from teachers when children were aged 6-12 years. Regression models were used to link behavioural assessments in kindergarten (age 5/6 years) to earnings at age 33-35 years (Study 1) and to trajectories of welfare receipt (Study 2), while behaviour at age 10-12 years was linked to trajectories of partnering. Children’s IQ and family background were adjusted for.ResultsInattention, aggression-opposition (males only) and low low-prosociality in kindergarten were associated with lower earnings at age 33-35 years (Study 1), inattention, aggression-opposition and low prosociality in kindergarten predicted following a chronic welfare receipt trajectory from age 18-35 (Study 2), and inattention, aggression-opposition, anxiety and low-prosociality at age 10-12 years were associated with increased likelihood of being unpartnered and with partnership dissolution from age 18-35 years (Study3).ConclusionsBehavioural assessments made by schoolteachers can identify children at risk of adverse economic and social outcomes in adulthood. The implications of for early screening and prevention will be discussed.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Behaviour in childhood is associated with distinct patterns of partnering in adulthood

IntroductionChildhood behavioral problems are highly prevalent in school-aged children and are associated with poor long-term outcomes. Yet little is known about their association with patterns of partnering in adulthood.ObjectivesTo (1) describe patterns of partnering from age 18-35 years in a large population-based sample, and (2) examine the association between childhood behavioural problems and adult partnering patterns.MethodsBehavioural ratings were prospectively obtained from teachers when children (n=2960) were aged 10-12 years – for inattention, hyperactivity, aggression-opposition, anxiety and prosociality – and linked to their tax return records from age 18-35 years. We used group-based trajectory modelling to identify distinct trajectories of partnering (married or cohabitating) and multinomial regression models to examine the association between childhood behaviour and trajectory group membership.Results Five distinct trajectories of partnering were identified: early-partnered (n=420, 14.4%), mid-partnered (n=620, 21.3%), late-partnered (n=570, 19.2%), early-separated (n=460, 15.5%), and delayed-or-unpartnered (n=890, 30.0%). After adjustment for sex and family background, children rated as being anxious or inattentive were more likely to remain unpartnered from age 18 to 35 years, while those rated as aggressive-oppositional or inattentive were more likely to separate and return to unpartnered status. Prosocial behaviours were consistently associated with earlier and more sustained partnership. Participants in the early-separated and delayed-or-unpartnered trajectories were also more likely to have left high school without a diploma and to have lower earnings.ConclusionsChildhood behavioural problems were associated with increased likelihood of being unpartnered and of partnership dissolution, which has implications for the psychological health and wellbeing of individuals and their families.

Partnership Dissolution with Cash-Constrained Agents

When partnerships come to an end, partners must find a way to efficiently reallocate the commonly owned assets to those who value them the most. This requires that the aforementioned members possess enough financial resources to buy out the others’ shares. I investigate ex post efficient partnership dissolution when agents are ex post cash constrained. I derive necessary and sufficient conditions for ex post efficient partnership dissolution with Bayesian (resp. dominant strategy) incentive compatible, interim individually rational, ex post (resp. ex ante) budget balanced and ex post cash-constrained mechanisms. Ex post efficient dissolution is more likely to be feasible when agents with low (resp. large) cash resources own more (resp. less) initial ownership rights. Furthermore, I propose a simple auction to implement the optimal mechanism. Finally, I investigate second-best mechanisms when cash constraints are such that ex post efficient dissolution is not attainable.

Impacts of Land Partnership Plan and Relocation of United States Military Bases on Urban Population and Industry

With the conclusion of the 2002 Land Partnership Plan (LPP), the relocation and dissolution of the 2nd U.S. Infantry Division located in Dongducheon and Uijeongbu were confirmed. The massive return of U.S. military bases came in 2007 amid concerns over the hollowing-out and expectations for new growth engines. As the two inflection points have brought great changes to two cities, it is necessary to closely examine the impact of the two events. The DID, often used in studies to measure the impact or effectiveness of policies was used. The total population, total number of employees, retail employees, and manufacturing employees were used as dependent variables, and the dummy variables required for the DID method were used as independent variables. To control the economic conditions within the time horizon, the composite economic indicators and local tax data for each city were used. Through the analysis, each local government failed to resolve the phenomenon of population hollowing out, but confirmed the growth of manufacturing industries. Therefore, there is a need to develop policies that promote the development of donor zones based on manufacturing industries and minimize population hollowing out through links with surrounding areas.

Disentangling the link between having one child and partnership trajectories: a mixed-methods life-course research

ABSTRACT This article explores the relationships between partnership trajectories and having an only child. Few studies have focused on one-child families, even though in many countries having just one child is the main factor driving sub-replacement fertility levels. Little is known especially about how non-progression to a second child relates to partnership trajectories. This article contributes to filling these gaps by using a mixed-methods life-course research. We combine sequence and regression analyses of survey data with a biographical analysis of problem-centred interviews with parents of an only child. Based on the Czech Household panel survey, we estimate the probability of having an only child in relation to parents’ different partnership trajectories after the birth of the first child. Analysing the problem-centred interviews, we explore parents’ understanding of the processes that lead them not to progress to a second child. Our findings indicate that having an only child is associated with partnership dissolution after the first child’s birth and with later entry into parenthood. High levels of education are negatively associated with the probability of having an only child among fathers, but positively among mothers. Partnership dissatisfaction and work-life balance issues contribute to non-progression to a second child.

Recidivism and Relationships: Examining the Role of Relationships, Transitions, and Relationship Quality in Reincarceration

Marriage encourages desistance, yet how post-release marital transitions (i.e., marital formation and dissolution) impact reentry outcomes is not commonly studied. Romantic partnership formation and dissolution is even less frequently studied. Moreover, the impact of the quality of marital and serious romantic relationships has not yet been linked to reentry outcomes. We explore whether marriage, being in a relationship, and post-release marital and relationship transitions impact reincarceration. Using data from the Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative, we estimate a series of logistic regressions assessing whether post-release marital or relationship transitions, as well as relationship quality, influence the likelihood of reincarceration. We find that relationship quality, not marriage or relationship transitions, is associated with a lower likelihood of reincarceration. Being in any relationship, including a marriage, however, is associated with and increased likelihood of reincarceration. Future research efforts should seek to shed additional light on how the reintegration process is affected by specific types of relationships and relationship transitions, as well as how relationship quality may mitigate negative reentry outcomes.

Boomerang Behaviour and Emerging Adulthood: Moving Back to the Parental Home and the Parental Neighbourhood in Sweden

This paper makes two original contributions to research on young adults’ boomerang mobility. First, it reveals the magnitude and complexity of return moves by young people to their parental home and neighbourhood. Secondly, it shows that the determinants and associates of return migration vary significantly when analysed at two different geographical scales—the parental home and the parental neighbourhood area. Using longitudinal data (1986–2009) on four cohorts of young adults, we find that boomeranging to the parental home in Sweden has increased in times of economic recession and is associated with economic vulnerability, such as leaving higher education or entering unemployment, and partnership dissolution. While returning to the parental home can offer financial support in times of life course reversal, we found gender differences indicating a greater independence among young women than men. Returning to the parental neighbourhood is found to be a very different kind of mobility than returning to co-reside with one’s parents, involving the migration decisions of more economically independent young adults. Results also indicate that returns to the parental neighbourhood, as well as returns to the parental home, can be part of young people’s life course changes.

Remain, leave, or return? Mothers’ location continuity after separation in Belgium

Partnership dissolution can mark an extended period of residential instability for mothers and their children. Location continuity, i.e., the ability to stay in or return to the same neighbourhood after separation, is essential to reduce the negative conse