Reasons for Divorce and Openness to Marital Reconciliation

Alan J. Hawkins, Brigham Young University - Provo
Brian J. Willoughby, Brigham Young University - Provo
William J. Doherty, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Abstract

This study explores the factors that divorcing couples say contributed to the breakdown of their marriage and how those factors are related to thoughts and interest in reconciliation. A sample of 886 individual divorcing parents in Hennepin County, Minnesota, in 2008 responded to a brief survey after mandated parenting classes. The two most common reasons given for seeking a divorce were “growing apart” (55%) and “not able to talk together” (53%). Growing apart, differences in tastes, and money problems were negatively associated with interest in reconciliation; abuse and adultery were not associated with interest in reconciliation.