Cohabitation, Marriage, and Union Dissolution in Norway: A Comparative Prospective Study
Peer reviewed, Journal article
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Date
2023Metadata
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Original version
Zahl-Olsen, R., Thuen, F. & Stea, T. H. (2023). Cohabitation, Marriage, and Union Dissolution in Norway: A Comparative Prospective Study. Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, 64 (5-6), 199–216. https://doi.org/10.1080/10502556.2023.2277648Abstract
Background
Few studies have examined dissolution rates among cohabitating and married couples, using prospective data.
Objective
The main aim was to examine trends in living arrangements and dissolution rates among married and cohabiting couples in Norway.
Method
Analysis of Norwegian longitudinal cohort data of 168,636 newly formed couples. Dissolution rates and relative risk were assessed at maximum 14 years of follow-up.
Results
Most of the married couples with a child were still living together after 14 years (65%), this was not the case for cohabiting couples. The majority of cohabiting couples who stay together eventually marry, particularly those who have children. At 4-year follow-up, young cohabiting couples had split up three times more often than married young couples.
Contribution
This study contributes by examining the effect of the living arrangement from a country where cohabitation has been the predominant living arrangement for many years.