Marital Lifestyles and Adjustment to Separation

Abstract

Two hundred and ninety-eight men and women in the process of divorce were interviewed concerning their lifestyle prior to maeta1 separation and their current state of happiness. Sex differences in social independence, division of household chores, and reliance on spouse were congruent with traditional sex role norms. When lifestyle measures were correlated with present happiness, less traditional behaviors were generally associated with greater happiness, as was the maintenance of separate interests, hobbies, and social activities.