Abstract

In spite of the skyrocketing divorce rates in Belgium over the last decennia, empirical research on the determinants of marriage dissolution has remained relatively scarce. In this article, we want to gain greater insight into the relational determinants of divorce. Using data from the 1992-2002 Panel Study of Belgian Households, the influence of relational and fertility characteristics, like marital age and duration, premarital cohabitation and presence of children, are investigated. After controlling for the effects of general socio-demographic factors on the risk of marriage dissolution, our analysis endorses the positive effect of premarital cohabitation and the negative effect of duration of marriage. Also, it seems that relational determinants provide the most explanatory power in the prediction of the risk on divorce. Premarital childbirth and age of children show surprising effects however, indicating a possible disconnection between the institute of marriage and the fertility career.

How to Cite:

Snoeckx, L., Raeymaeckers, P. & Mortelmans, D., (2006) “Relationele kenmerken en echtscheiding in België: een analyse op basis van de Panel Studie van Belgische Huishoudens”, Tijdschrift voor Sociologie 27(2), 157–177. doi: https://doi.org/10.21825/sociologos.86654