Union Dissolution after Live and Non-Live Births

Alessandro Di Nallo, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR)
Zafer Büyükkececi, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research

A long-standing debate questions whether having children stabilizes unions once selection into parenthood is considered. Previous studies often overlook couples who are unintentionally childless. To address this gap, we use information on pregnancy loss. Our analysis focuses on British and German couples who either transitioned to parenthood or experienced pregnancy loss, remaining childless or having a live birth afterward. Using longitudinal data from the German Family Panel (Pairfam) and the UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS), we apply event history analysis to assess partnership stability, accounting for selection factors such as sociodemographic characteristics, partnership dynamics, and mental health. Results reveal that couples remaining childless after pregnancy loss face a higher risk of separation compared to those with a live birth. The risk of breakup peaks three years after pregnancy loss, declining and becoming insignificant after seven to eight years. Couples with a live birth before or after pregnancy loss have a lower risk of dissolution. Differences in grief responses, with women often more depressed than men, contribute to separation risk. These findings emphasize the long-term strain pregnancy loss places on partnerships, especially in childless couples, and highlight the stabilizing effect of parenthood.

Keywords: Families, Unions and Households, Fertility, Gender Dynamics, Longitudinal studies

See paper.