Citation

Manning WD, Longmore MA, Giordano PC. J. Fam. Issues 2018; 39(4): 1030-1055.

Affiliation

Department of Sociology & Center for Family and Demographic Research, 233 Williams Hall, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio 43403, 419-372-2850.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0192513X16686132

PMID

29531425

PMCID

PMC5844497

Abstract

In recent years, a majority of young adults experience cohabitation. Nevertheless, cohabitation is a risk factor for intimate partner violence (IPV). Drawing on social exchange and commitment theory we analyzed young adults' IPV experiences using the recently collected (2011-2012) Toledo Adolescent Relationships Study data (n = 926). We found that sociodemographic characteristics, relationship commitment, quality, and constraints as well as prior experience with violence (in prior relationships and family of origin) were associated with IPV, but did not explain the association between cohabitation and IPV. We examined variation among individuals in cohabiting relationships to determine which cohabitors face the greatest risk of intimate partner violence. Serial cohabitors along with cohabitors who experienced both low commitment and high relational constraints experienced the greatest risk of IPV. These findings provided insights into the implications of cohabitation for the well-being of young adults.

Language: en

Keywords

cohabitation; intimate partner violence; young adulthood