The Rise and Impact of Premarital Cohabitation: Implications for Christian Higher Education

Authors

Heidi Morris, Abeline Christian UniversityFollow
Suzie Macaluso, Abeline Christian University
Prentice Ashford, Lipscomb University

Abstract

Premarital cohabitation is an increasingly common aspect of relationships today. Despite Christian theology that often frowns on cohabitation, modern students entering institutions of Christian higher education are influenced by this societal trend. For some students, cohabitation does not carry the negative connotation as in previous years. However, how aware are students of the implications of cohabitation on relationship satisfaction? This study examines whether the level of satisfaction within a relationship is affected by having lived in a cohabiting relationship before marriage. Through an analysis of U.S. data from the 2010 Married and Cohabiting Couples survey, levels of relationship satisfaction were assessed in 2,150 participants. Results indicate that the participants who were married and did not cohabit before marriage reported the highest levels of satisfaction within their relationship. Drawing from these findings, implications and best practices for Christian institutions of higher education are discussed.

Recommended Citation

Morris, Heidi; Macaluso, Suzie; and Ashford, Prentice (2019) "The Rise and Impact of Premarital Cohabitation: Implications for Christian Higher Education," Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development: Vol. 18: No. 18, Article 7.
Available at: https://pillars.taylor.edu/acsd_growth/vol18/iss18/7