Does cohabitation matter? Differences in initial marital adjustment among women who cohabited and those who did not

In the study, we examined differences in marital adjustment and in personal and spousal variables related to marital adjustment among women who cohabited with their spouses before marriage versus those who did not. The noncohabiting women reported better levels of adjustment of spousal cohesion and display of affection, and they used strategies of concession to resolve marital conflicts to a greater extent than did women who cohabited. Among both groups of women, conflict resolution strategies correlated positively with marital adjustment, whereas the strategy of dominance and the attachment style of anxiety correlated negatively. In light of the research findings, practical recommendations are provided for preventive interventions among couples who cohabited before marriage and those who did not.