Pathways Linking Early Socioeconomic Adversity to Diverging Profiles of Romantic Relationship Dissolution in Young Adulthood

Although studies on romantic relationships are abundant, cumulative experiences in intimate relationship dissolution (i.e., dissolution of cohabitation and marriage) during young adulthood is not yet completely understood. Using a nationally representative sample of 9,275 young adults, we investigat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of family psychology 2019-02, Vol.33 (1), p.23-33
Main Authors: Bae, Dayoung, Wickrama, Kandauda A. S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Adult Survivors of Child Adverse Events - psychology
Adult Survivors of Child Adverse Events - statistics & numerical data
Adversity
Cohabitation
Conflict
Dating
Dissolution
Divorce - psychology
Divorce - statistics & numerical data
Emerging Adulthood
Female
Future
Human
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Interpersonal Relationships
Intimacy
Life Changes
Life transitions
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Marriage
Marriage - psychology
Marriage - statistics & numerical data
Precursors
Romance
Romantic relationships
Sexual Partners - psychology
Time
Young Adult
Young adults
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Summary:Although studies on romantic relationships are abundant, cumulative experiences in intimate relationship dissolution (i.e., dissolution of cohabitation and marriage) during young adulthood is not yet completely understood. Using a nationally representative sample of 9,275 young adults, we investigated heterogeneity in timing and frequency of relationship dissolution during young adulthood, as well as its developmental precursors to dissolution. Results indicated four distinct relationship-dissolution classes that ranged from those who maintained stable romantic relationships to those who experienced multiple cohabitation dissolutions and divorces from ages 18 to 30 years. Early socioeconomic adversity predicted relationship-dissolution trajectories directly and indirectly through psychosociodemographic mechanisms in adolescence, including disrupted transitions to adulthood, conflict in dating relationships, and low levels of future orientation. Our findings highlight the heterogeneous romantic relationship trajectories of young adults and support the importance of the person-centered approach in elucidating developmental pathways underlying the longitudinal transitions in romantic relationships.
ISSN:0893-3200
1939-1293
DOI:10.1037/fam0000465