Premarital Cohabitation Provides Positive Financial Outcome

A recent study from the University of Wyoming shows that there is evidence of a positive marital outcome associated with premarital cohabitation. The study was lead by UW Assistant Professor Matthew Painter. The following information was released by the University of Wyoming.

Matthew Painter is an Assistant Professor in the UW Department of Sociology. He lead and conducted the study. Also contributing in the study was colleague Jonathan Vespa. According to Painter, "Individuals who marry their one and only cohabiting partner experience a wealth premium that is twice as large as that for married individuals who never cohabited prior to marrying."

The findings of the study were published in Demography which is considered the leading journal of the Population Association of America. The results are contradictory  to previous research that showed premarital cohabitation resulted in worse marital outcomes.

Overall results in the study showed that couples who lived together before marriage, on average, gained greater wealth then those not living together before marriage. According to the release, "This research is important for understanding families and financial resources because it suggests that relationship history shapes long-term wealth accumulation. It is also among the first studies to more fully explore the divergent paths individuals take prior to marriage."

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