Examining the determinants of union dissolution among married and common-law unions in Canada

Abstract

This paper examines the determinants of union dissolution among first marriage, second marriage, and common-law unions via an event history analysis of the fourth panel of the Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics (SLID). Results suggest that unemployment and other potentially challenging employment situations are associated with higher odds of dissolution, among first marriage unions in particular. The factors that predict union dissolution are found to differ, both across union types and within common-law unions by region (Quebec versus elsewhere in Canada).