The effect of parental divorce on young adults’ romantic relationship dissolution: What makes a difference?

It was proposed that parental divorce does not have a uniform effect on young adults’ romantic relationships and that differential outcomes depend on how young adults perceive their parents’ divorce. Using a sample of 571 young adults, structural equation modeling suggested that, compared with those from intact families, young adults whose parents divorced held a more favorable attitude toward divorce. A positive attitude toward divorce was associated with lower commitment to their romantic relationship, which in turn affected its dissolution. More importantly, young adults’ perception of parental divorce varied depending on interparental conflict and parents’ marital quality before the divorce. The variation in the perception of interparental divorce was linked to relationship dissolution via attitude toward divorce and relationship commitment. Until recently, it was assumed that romantic relationships in youth were not particularly important or formative (see Arnett, 2004; Brown, Feiring, & Furman, 1999; Collins & van Dulmen, 2006). But recent data have made it clear that such an assumption is no longer tenable (Carver, Joyner, & Udry, 2003; Collins, 2003). Romantic relationships in young adults are important for at least three reasons. First, the formation and maintenance of romantic relationships are critical developmental tasks for youth during the transition to adulthood (Amato et al., 2008; van Dulmen, Goncy, Haydon, & Collins, 2008). Second, Ming Cui and Jared A. Durtschi, Department of Family and Child Sciences, The Florida State University. Frank D. Fincham, Family Institute, The Florida State University. This study was made possible by Grant 90FE0022/01 from the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families awarded to the second author. Correspondence should be addressed to Ming Cui, Department of Family and Child Sciences, 216 Sandels Building, The Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, e-mail: [email protected]. romantic relationship development and dissolution have important consequences on youth well-being and behavioral adjustment (e.g., Davila, Steinberg, Kachadourian, Cobb, & Fincham, 2004; House, Landis, & Umberson, 1988; van Dulmen et al., 2008). Finally, patterns of romantic relationships in youth could be predictive of later relationships and marriage in adulthood (Raley, Criseey, & Muller, 2007). For example, frequent relationships and relationship breakups could be an indication of an inability to have successful longterm relationships (e.g., Rodrigues, Hall, & Fincham, 2006). Consequently, it is important to understand developmental precursors that increase the likelihood of establishing stable and satisfying romantic relationships. Of all the factors that could predict young adult romantic relationship satisfaction and dissolution, specific characteristics in the family of origin are especially relevant (Conger, Cui, Bryant, & Elder, 2000). In particular, parental divorce has been demonstrated to have an impact on young adults’ romantic relationship dissolution (Bartell, 2006). However, the effects of divorce are diverse and