This literature-based article offers information regarding the prevalence of three later-in-life couple constellations: “empty-nesters,” cohabiting, and remarried couples. These demographic figures support the importance of the identification of common issues facing couples in each constellation, leading to implications for clinical services.
ArpC. S.ArpD.LamsonS. (2000). The second half of marriage. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.
2.
ArpD.ArpC. S.StanleyS. M.MarkmanS. J. (2001). Empty nesting: Reinventing your marriage when the kids leave home. San Francisco, CA; Jossey-Bass.
3.
BrownS. L.LeeG. R.BulandaJ. R. (2006). Cohabitation among older adults: A national portrait. Journal of Gerontology, 61B, S71–S79.
4.
ClarkeL. H. (2006). Older women and sexuality: Experiences in marital relationships across the life course. Canadian Journal on Aging, 25, 129–140.
5.
CrowleyB. J.HayslipB.JrHobdyJ. (2003). Psychological hardiness and adjustment to life events in adulthood. Journal of Adult Development, 10, 237–248. doi:1068-0667/03/1000-0237/0
6.
DupuisS. B. (2009a). An ecological examination of older remarried couples. Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, 50, 369–387. doi:10.1080/10502550902766472
7.
DupuisS. B. (2009b). Examining the experiences of later-life remarried couples. (unpublished doctoral dissertation). Michigan State University: East Lansing, MI.
GorchoffS. M.JohnO. P.HelsonR. (2008). Contextualizing change in marital satisfaction during middle age. Psychological Science, 19, 1194–1200.
10.
HagenJ. D.DeVriesH. M. (2004). Marital satisfaction at the empty-nest phase of the family life cycle: A longitudinal study. Marriage & Family: A Christian Journal, 7, 83–98.
11.
HiggenbothamB. J.MillerNiehuisS. (2009). Remarriage preparation: Usage, perceived helpfulness and dyadic adjustment. Family Relations, 58, 316–329.
12.
Inhinger-TallmanM.CooneyT. M. (2005). Family in context. Los Angeles, CA: Roxbury.
13.
KingV.ScottM. E. (2005). A comparison of cohabiting relationships among older and younger adults. Journal of Marriage and Family, 67, 271–285.
14.
MillerJ. (1998). The second time around, later in life. New York Times, p. CTI, July19.
15.
MorfeiM. Z.HookerK.CarpenterJ.MixC.BlakelyE. (2004). Agentic and communal generative behaviors in four areas of adult life: Implications for psychological well-being. Journal of Adult Development, 11, 55–58. doi:1068-0667/04/0100-0055/0
16.
SasslerS.CunninghamA.LichterD. L. (2009). Intergenerational patterns of union formation and relationship quality. Journal of Family Issues, 30, 757–786.
17.
SchlesingerR. A.SchlesingerB. (2009). Canadian-Jewish seniors: Marriage/cohabitation after age 65. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 52, 32–47.
18.
SchmitzC. D.SchmitzE. A. (2010). Building a love that lasts: The seven surprising secrets of successful marriage. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass/Wiley.
19.
VinickB. H. (1978). Remarriage in old age. The Family Coordinator, 27, 359–363.
20.
WalshF. (2011). Families in later life: Challenges, opportunities and resilience. In McGoldrickM.CarterB.Garcia-PretoN. (Eds.), Individual, family and social perspectives: The expanded family life cycle (4th ed., pp. 261–277). Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.
