2010/09/30 by Carrie Murrow, Lin Shi · 1 citation
Social Sciences · Psychology · Medicine · #Family Dynamics and Relationships #Attachment and Relationship Dynamics #Reproductive Health and Technologies
paper · doi:10.1080/01926187.2010.513916
openalex publication_date 2010/09/30 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
The current study was an exploration of cohabitation purposes and the influence on relationship quality. The data set contained 139 participants in cohabiting relationships who completed an online survey. Three factors emerged from principle components analysis as purposes for cohabitation: Precursor to Marriage, Trial Marriage, and Coresidential Dating. The data analysis confirmed a relationship between purpose for cohabiting and relationship quality, and cohabiting as a precursor to marriage as a positive predictor of relationship quality. The qualitative data validated a conceptualization to view reasons for cohabiting as dimensional, rather than categorical. Advantages of the dimensional conceptualization as well as its clinical implications in couple therapy were discussed.