Cohabitation vs. Marriage: Self-Monitoring and Self-Selection to Intimate Relationships

Abstract

Cohabitation involves fewer restrictions than does marriage. High self-monitors have an unrestricted orientation to close relationships; low self-monitors have a restricted orientation to close relationships. We therefore predicted that high self-monitors would cohabit rather than marry, whereaslow self-monitors were expected to marry rather than cohabit. Across three studies, participants indicated their current relationship status (married versus cohabitating), completed the 18-item Self-Monitoring Scale, and provided demographic and relationship-related information. Our prediction was confirmed in Study 1. In Study 2, this finding was replicated, and relationship longevity did not mediate self-monitoring effects on relationship choices. Selfmonitoring differences were again duplicated in Study 3, but these divergent preferences were mediated by the presence-absence of children in relationships (but not by differential commitment to partners). Limitations in our work, future theoretical and empirical directions, and clinical/policy implications are discussed.