Spousal-residence separation among Chinese young couples

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Demography
• Chinese Studies

Background:

• Understanding spousal residential separation is crucial for family sociology and demographic studies.
• Previous research has not fully explored the specific factors contributing to spousal separation in the Chinese context during the mid-20th century.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the key factors influencing spousal residential separation among young couples in China during the mid-1980s.
• To identify demographic, personal, and household variables associated with marital separation.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of microdata from the 1987 National Population Survey in China.
• Application of a multivariate statistical model to assess the significance of various factors.

Main Results:

• Personal and household factors significantly explain variations in spousal-residence separations.
• Migration for employment or education, shorter marriage duration, higher education levels, and lower household status were associated with increased separation.
• Marriage migration, however, showed a tendency to reduce separations.

Conclusions:

• Spousal residential separation in China is a complex phenomenon driven by a combination of individual choices and socioeconomic circumstances.
• Policy implications may involve addressing migration-related stressors and socioeconomic disparities to support marital stability.