Who divorces and why: a review

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Psychology
• Family Studies

Background:

• Divorce literature often emphasizes demography over process or outcome.
• A pathological perspective has historically dominated explanations for marital dissolution.
• Recent trends show an increasing divorce rate in the United States.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent literature on the causes and correlates of divorce.
• To examine the frequency of divorce and the predivorce period.
• To explore societal and legal factors contributing to divorce rates.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent studies on divorce.
• Analysis of demographic data related to divorce.
• Examination of research on predivorce factors and marital dissolution.

Main Results:

• Divorce is influenced by demographic, health, and individual factors.
• Societal and legal changes play a role in increased divorce rates.
• The reasons individuals cite for divorce are varied and complex.

Conclusions:

• Understanding divorce requires moving beyond pathological explanations.
• A comprehensive view of divorce encompasses individual, social, and legal dimensions.
• Further research should focus on the process and outcomes of marital dissolution.