A Latent Profile Analysis of Reasons for Cohabitation

ABSTRACT We used latent profile analysis to further understand the heterogeneity of individuals' reasons for cohabitation. Using two samples of cohabitors ( N = 563), we measured the extent to which cohabitors endorsed three reasons for cohabiting (time together, testing, and convenience). We identified six profiles: low levels of time together and testing and an average level of convenience (Profile 1; moderately convenience‐driven), high levels of time together and low levels of testing and convenience (Profile 2; time together‐driven), an average level of testing and low levels of time together and convenience (Profile 3; moderately testing‐driven), high levels of convenience and testing, and an average level of time together (Profile 4; convenience and testing‐driven), a high level of convenience and average levels of time together and testing (Profile 5; highly convenience‐driven), and high levels of all three reasons (Profile 6; all reasons‐driven). We found that profile membership was associated with commitment, satisfaction, and ambivalence but not conflict. We also explored whether demographic characteristics were associated with profile membership and found that relationship length at the start of cohabitation and income were significantly associated with profile membership. The current research provides important nuance to the literature on reasons for cohabitation and relationship quality.