Abstract
Research on relational maintenance of long-distance or cross-residential romantic relationships is limited. Moreover, relatively little is known about relational maintenance among non-marital intimate partners in later life, many of whom prefer to live-apart-together (LAT) rather than cohabit. This research paper examines how older adults from the United States maintain their romantic relationships across residences. The authors conducted a grounded theory study drawing on interviews collected from 22 older adults in LAT relationships. The data revealed that older LAT partners engage in a process of safeguarding autonomy to maintain their partnerships and relationship satisfaction. Two broad strategies were identified: upholding separateness and reshaping expectations. While safeguarding autonomy was paramount, participants also emphasized the importance of having a flexible mindset about the physical copresence of their relationships. The findings have implications for practice, suggesting that creating an interdependent couple-identity may undermine, or at least have little bearing on, the relationship stability of older LAT couples. Future research is needed to determine how LAT experiences among racially/ethnically or socioeconomically diverse samples might differ.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 193-215 |
| Number of pages | 23 |
| Journal | Contemporary Perspectives in Family Research |
| Volume | 11 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1 Jan 2017 |
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Keywords
- Older adults
- Qualitative
- Relationship maintenance
- Repartnering
Cite this
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Living apart together relationships in later life : Constructing an account of relational maintenance. / Benson, Jacquelyn; Kerr, Steffany; Ermer, Ashley.
In: Contemporary Perspectives in Family Research, Vol. 11, 01.01.2017, p. 193-215.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - Living apart together relationships in later life
T2 - Constructing an account of relational maintenance
AU - Benson, Jacquelyn
AU - Kerr, Steffany
AU - Ermer, Ashley
PY - 2017/1/1
Y1 - 2017/1/1
N2 - Research on relational maintenance of long-distance or cross-residential romantic relationships is limited. Moreover, relatively little is known about relational maintenance among non-marital intimate partners in later life, many of whom prefer to live-apart-together (LAT) rather than cohabit. This research paper examines how older adults from the United States maintain their romantic relationships across residences. The authors conducted a grounded theory study drawing on interviews collected from 22 older adults in LAT relationships. The data revealed that older LAT partners engage in a process of safeguarding autonomy to maintain their partnerships and relationship satisfaction. Two broad strategies were identified: upholding separateness and reshaping expectations. While safeguarding autonomy was paramount, participants also emphasized the importance of having a flexible mindset about the physical copresence of their relationships. The findings have implications for practice, suggesting that creating an interdependent couple-identity may undermine, or at least have little bearing on, the relationship stability of older LAT couples. Future research is needed to determine how LAT experiences among racially/ethnically or socioeconomically diverse samples might differ.
AB - Research on relational maintenance of long-distance or cross-residential romantic relationships is limited. Moreover, relatively little is known about relational maintenance among non-marital intimate partners in later life, many of whom prefer to live-apart-together (LAT) rather than cohabit. This research paper examines how older adults from the United States maintain their romantic relationships across residences. The authors conducted a grounded theory study drawing on interviews collected from 22 older adults in LAT relationships. The data revealed that older LAT partners engage in a process of safeguarding autonomy to maintain their partnerships and relationship satisfaction. Two broad strategies were identified: upholding separateness and reshaping expectations. While safeguarding autonomy was paramount, participants also emphasized the importance of having a flexible mindset about the physical copresence of their relationships. The findings have implications for practice, suggesting that creating an interdependent couple-identity may undermine, or at least have little bearing on, the relationship stability of older LAT couples. Future research is needed to determine how LAT experiences among racially/ethnically or socioeconomically diverse samples might differ.
KW - Older adults
KW - Qualitative
KW - Relationship maintenance
KW - Repartnering
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85029228109&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1108/S1530-353520170000011009
DO - 10.1108/S1530-353520170000011009
M3 - Article
VL - 11
SP - 193
EP - 215
JO - Contemporary Perspectives in Family Research
JF - Contemporary Perspectives in Family Research
SN - 1530-3535
ER -