Reciprocal Supportiveness and Relationship Stability in Married, Cohabiting, and Visiting Couples

Bryndl Hohmann-Marriott, Arizona State University

The emotional support provided by the partner provides a benefit for individuals in relationships, but it is not clear whether supportiveness impacts both married and unmarried relationships in similar ways. The stability of relationships may be influenced by supportiveness, especially when the support is reciprocal, or provided by both partners. Using the first two waves of the Fragile Families study, this research focuses on the impact of reciprocal emotional supportiveness on relationship stability, examining this as an area of potential difference in married, cohabiting, and visiting couples. This comparison of the effect of supportiveness on relationship stability across relationship type will advance our understanding of how marital and nonmarital relationships provide benefits to individuals, and will provide suggestions for where policy initiatives to support families should direct their focus.