The life course. All the life course variables were associated with people’s
perceptions. Those who married at younger ages were more likely
than those who married at older ages to report alcohol or drug use as a
cause of divorce. Growing apart was less common among those who married
at older ages and more common among those had been married for a
relatively long time. This result suggests a tendency for spouses to become
less similar over time, especially those who marry at young ages—presumably
at a time when their attitudes, interests, and goals are still forming.
Age at marriage was positively associated with incompatibility, although
the interpretation of this finding is not clear. Years married was
negatively associated with complaints about incompatibility and personality,
suggesting that these problems are more likely to disrupt short-term
than long-term marriages. Respondents with children in the household
were more likely to report mental or physical abuse, as well as substance
abuse, as a reason for divorce. In most cases (not shown), these women
complained that their ex-husbands exhibited these problems. The presence
of children, therefore, appears to increase the motivation of mothers
to leave marriages in which husbands are behaving badly.