Around 7-8% of the population in UK surveys report having a steady partner living elsewhere.  Numerous studies have documented the diverse life course profiles of individuals Living Apart Together (LAT) but few have looked into for whom and why LAT persists throughout the life course. We examine how LAT persistence is shaped by the temporal and contextual dimensions of life course trajectories.

Using Understanding Society data, we followed 2,002 individuals LAT in 2011 over a 6–8-year period. Logistic regression models estimated how baseline demographics, and changes in education, employment, living arrangements, parenthood, and caregiving predicted persistently LAT versus (1) co-residence or (2) singlehood. We tested whether these predictors differed across three life stages: young, midlife, and older adulthood.

LAT persistence was significantly more likely among those under 30 (OR 2.43, 95% CI: 1.85, 3.20) and over 50 (5.16 (3.77, 7.06) ), compared to midlife. Across all life stages, negative baseline cohabitation intentions, no longer having resident dependent children, and the cessation of caregiving strongly predicted LAT persistence over cohabitation and singledom. Older women were more likely than men to remain LAT than co‐reside (2.03, 1.58, 2.60) whereas women of all ages were less likely than men to remain LAT than become single, particularly in midlife (0.16 (0.13, 0.19)), and young adulthood (0.43 (0.36, 0.51)).

Young adults with higher education or caregiving roles were more likely to LAT than become single, and less likely to be parents or economically inactive. In midlife, previously partnered individuals and caregivers had higher odds of LAT persistence, while women had lower odds. In older adulthood, LAT persistence was most likely for caregivers, and those in longstanding relationships.

We show that LAT persistence in the UK depends on interwoven life-course transitions—especially obligations to children and care recipients—and varies markedly by age and gender.

Co-authors

Professor Michaela Benzeval, University of Essex