Demographic Subgroup Contributions to Divorce Cause Constellations

Abstract

Demographic differences in divorce causes are investigated. Constellations, or factors, of perceived divorce causes for 193 males and 271 females, all with minor children, were gernated resulting in four constellations for each sex. The demographic subgroups identifying the different divorce cause constellations for each sex were then determined. Differences involved such characteristics as age, length of marriage, income and employment were found for a number of constellations but failed to surface in others. This suggests that it is important not only to evaluate causes of divorce in constellations and separately for each sex, but that demographic characteristics must also be considered in any analysis of causes of divorce.