• Media type: E-Article
  • Title: Factors Associated with Singlehood
  • Contributor: Spreitzer, Elmer; Riley, Lawrence E.
  • Published: National Council on Family Relations, 1974
  • Published in: Journal of Marriage and Family, 36 (1974) 3, Seite 533-542
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1741-3737; 0022-2445
  • Origination:
  • Footnote:
  • Description: Although there is a small but cumulative body of literature concerning the psychological sequelae of singlehood, there is remarkably little research concerned with singlehood as a dependent variable. The present study extends earlier demographic research on singlehood by reporting several childhood family life variables that are not available in studies based upon census and vital statistics data. The concern is with examining the structural and interactional features of the person's childhood family of orientation as they relate to never marrying as an adult. Separate analysis is carried out for males and females throughout the paper. The study reveals several correlates of singlehood. The findings replicate earlier research in showing that higher levels of intelligence, education, and occupation are associated with singlehood among females. Poor interpersonal relations with parents and siblings in the family of orientation are associated with singlehood among males.