50% to 65% of Americans believe that living together before marriage will improve their odds of relationship success, and 70% of newly married couples in the U.S. live together prior to marrying. But is what people believe true?

In this webinar, researchers from the University of Denver will briefly highlight the association between premarital cohabitation and marital outcomes. Using the latest findings from a new, national survey on premarital cohabitation conducted in 2022, they will update prior work and findings with people who married for the first time between 2010 and 2019.

Join Galena Rhoads and Scott Stanley as they discuss the mechanisms of risk in premarital cohabitation and the implications for working with youth and young adults. The discussion will be followed by an extensive question and answer session.

Objectives: Participants will be able to:

1. Describe the historical and latest findings on premarital cohabitation research
2. Understand implications for youth and younger adult populations
3. Engage with the presenters to have their questions answered.

Presenters: Scott Stanley, Ph.D., and Galena K. Rhoades, Ph.D., University of Denver

Resources:

• 2023 Webinar Slide Deck
• Q&A
• Stnaley, SM. and Rhoades, G.K. “What’s the Plan? Cohabitation, Engagement, and Divorce.” Institute for Family Studies, April 2013.
• Resources for Research by Rhoades and Stanley