Characteristics of Women With Children Who Divorce in Midlife Compared to Those Who Remain Married |
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Authors: | Jeanne M Hilton Tamara L Anderson |
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Institution: | 1. School of Social Work , University of Nevada , Reno, Nevada, USA hilton@unr.edu;3. Department of Human Development and Family Studies , University of Nevada , Reno, Nevada, USA |
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Abstract: | This study evaluated characteristics that distinguish women who end a first marriage in midlife from those who remain married. The sample consisted of 459 married and 180 divorced women who had participated in 3 waves of the National Survey of Families and Households (NSFH). Discriminant analyses were used to assess differences that occurred between the two groups in financial and psychological well-being in the 10 years between NSFH Waves 2 and 3. The major finding was that midlife divorce appears to have long-term financial consequences for women, especially in regard to wealth accumulation. The findings provide some initial information about the long-term effects of midlife divorce that will be useful to professionals working with women who are considering divorce at this stage of life. |
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Keywords: | midlife divorce wealth finances empty nest gender roles life satisfaction |
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