ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP PATTERNS IN YOUNG ADULTS FROM DIVORCED VERSUS ALWAYS-MARRIED FAMILIES

Abstract

Introduction: This study examined the differences between young adults from divorced households (N=54) and young adults from always-married households (N=120) in terms of romantic relationship dissolution patterns, perceptions of inter-parental conflict, child-parent bonding, and attitudes toward divorce. It was hypothesized that young adults from divorced households would have a greater number of romantic relationships and would report a lack of investment and conflict as reasons for relationship dissolutions more frequently than young adults from always-married households. It was also hypothesized that young adults who report high inter-parental conflict would hold more positive attitudes toward divorce and that young adults with reported high parental bonding would have less positive attitudes toward divorce. Methods: Data was collected via an online survey. Results: Findings revealed that young adults from divorced households had significantly fewer romantic relationships than young adults from always-married households. Supporting hypotheses, young adults from divorced households reported a lack of investment as a reason for romantic relationship dissolution more often than did young adults from always-married households. All other predictions were not supported. Discussion: Such findings indicate that there may not be a clear line between attitudes toward divorce and child-parent bonding and perceptions of inter-parental conflict.