Marital Dissolution and Psychological Well-Being: Race and Gender Differences in the Moderating Role of Marital Relationship Quality

Abstract

This study examined whether the impact of divorce on psychological well-being varies depending on marital quality in the first year of marriage. Participants included Black and White American couples who completed interviews in year 1 of their marriages and again 16 years later after 46% had divorced (N = 517). Linear regression models were estimated separately for Black and White men and Black and White women. Results revealed that that the link between divorce status, marital quality (positive or negative) and psychological well being depended on whether one was a) male or female, and b) Black or White American.