Clinicians and educators in the marriage and family field will gain valuable insight into the relationship dynamics that cause marital stress and the interactional factors that may result in divorce from this excellent book. The perceptive theoretical, empirical, and clinical chapters included in Marital Instability and Divorce Outcome examine why certain elements in relationships result in divorce while others do not and assist professionals in evaluating these elements. Specifically, this provocative volume enables professionals to examine how a marriage has weathered developmental periods of stability and instability, whether or not it has the necessary resources to survive, and, in the event a divorce occurs, what will be the most likely post-divorce adjustment for the marriage partners. This informative volume aids professionals in their work with marital relationships, by covering a wide range of topics involved in assessing marital instability and divorce outcomes. The relationship circumstances that can lead to divorce are examined in an investigation of personality types which are prone to divorce and a comparison of patterns of relationships which are stable and those which are likely to result in divorce. The conditions that exist after a divorce are explored in a discussion on how to predict post-divorce adjustment and physical well-being of the marriage partners after divorce. Educators teaching marriage and family courses at all levels from high school to college and clinicians who work with marital, family, and child cases will find this helpful volume to be an invaluable resource for evaluating factors influencing marital instability and divorce outcome.

Clinicians and educators in the marriage and family field will gain valuable insight into the relationship dynamics that cause marital stress and the interactional factors that may result in divorce from this excellent book. The perceptive theoretical, empirical, and clinical chapters included in Marital Instability and Divorce Outcome examine why certain elements in relationships result in divorce while others do not and assist professionals in evaluating these elements. Specifically, this provocative volume enables professionals to examine how a marriage has weathered developmental periods of stability and instability, whether or not it has the necessary resources to survive, and, in the event a divorce occurs, what will be the most likely post-divorce adjustment for the marriage partners. This informative volume aids professionals in their work with marital relationships, by covering a wide range of topics involved in assessing marital instability and divorce outcomes. The relationship circumstances that can lead to divorce are examined in an investigation of personality types which are prone to divorce and a comparison of patterns of relationships which are stable and those which are likely to result in divorce. The conditions that exist after a divorce are explored in a discussion on how to predict post-divorce adjustment and physical well-being of the marriage partners after divorce. Educators teaching marriage and family courses at all levels from high school to college and clinicians who work with marital, family, and child cases will find this helpful volume to be an invaluable resource for evaluating factors influencing marital instability and divorce outcome.

What factors influence the relationship of a newly married couple? Do these factors change as the marriage matures? The authors of this book examine the determinants of marital instability in the early years of marriage. Conclusions are based on the results of a survey of 199 black couples and 174 white couples throughout the first four years of marriage. Findings focus on attitudes, perceptions, and feelings spouses have for each other and the manner in which they interact. Some of the topics discussed in the survey include: length of courtship, educational differences, religion, and family involvement. The findings show what effect these and other factors have on a marriage.

This paper surveys some of the main strands in the recent literature on the economics of divorce, with a focus on U.S. studies. We begin with a discussion of changes over time in the divorce rate and the widening gap in marital instability by socioeconomic status. We review the role of age at entry into first marriage, including recent analyses that find strikingly different relationships by race and ethnicity. Compared to other developed economies, the divorce rate in the U.S. is exceptionally high. We offer possible explanations, including the roles of theologically conservative religions (which promote early entry into motherhood and marriage, and low female education), and the high levels of both income inequality and teen fertility in the U.S. We review the effects of divorce reforms. While such reforms have made it easier for women to leave violent marriages, lack of an ability to be economically self sufficient remains an important barrier for many women trapped in such marriages. In light of this, we discuss the importance of caution in interpreting research findings: a high level of marital stability is not always the best outcome. Finally, we review the literature on the effects of divorce on the well-being of children and the role of child support policies.