Relationship-Specific Investments, Family Chaos, and Cohabitation Dissolution Following a Non-marital Birth

Abstract

Predictors of two types of cohabitation dissolution, dissolution with a continued romantic relationship and without (i.e. breakup), were examined using data from mothers cohabiting at the time of a non-marital birth in the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (n = 1624). Life tables indicated 64% of unions dissolved within 5 years; of these, 76% broke-up. Black mothers had the highest rates of dissolution. Maximum likelihood discrete-time event history results revealed that younger mothers were more likely to experience cohabitation dissolution into a breakup. Fewer relationship-specific investments and more family chaos were also associated with greater risk of cohabitation dissolution into a breakup. Mothers' multipartnered fertility and fewer relationship-specific investments were associated with greater risk of cohabitation dissolution with a continued romantic relationship. Post-dissolution, mothers who maintained a romantic relationship were more likely to reenter a union with their former partner while mothers whose union broke-up most often remained so.

Figure 2

Relationship status two to four years after initial cohabitation dissolution by type of cohabitation dissolution (n = 676). Asterisks mark significant differences in relationship status following initial cohabitation dissolution by type of cohabitation dissolution on z tests of the equality of proportions. ⁺ p < 0.10, * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001.