Population Institute

ABSTRACT

This study used path analysis to explore and model the various predictors of cohabitation among ever-married Filipino youth, grouped into four categories, namely: sex-related precursor experiences, attitudinal and behavioral factors, familial characteristics, and individual characteristics. Cohabitation refers to individuals living together as couples but are not formally or legally married. In the context of this study, this also means individuals in ‘consensual union,’ in ‘live-in relationship,’ and ‘relationship outside marital union’. Using data from the 2021 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study (YAFS5), a path model is developed to capture and understand the complexity and interconnectivity of these factors.

Having experienced a romantic relationship serves as an important precursor to cohabitation. Its total effect on cohabitation is mediated by attitude towards live-in arrangement. All the attitudinal factors show significant effects, with attitude towards live-in arrangements having the strongest positive influence. These attitudes directly shape youth’s choices about cohabitation without being significantly mediated by other predictors. Religiosity decreases the likelihood of cohabitation, while internet access and social media use increases it. The effect of religiosity on cohabitation is significantly mediated by attitude towards premarital sex. Although the indirect effects of parental education through various paths show statistical significance, it loses its significance in totality. The only significant factor among familial characteristics is the primary raiser’s level of strictness which suggests that having a permissive parent is associated with higher odds of cohabitation. Its effect is mediated by attitude towards premarital sex and live-in, and internet access and social media use. For the individual characteristics, age at first marital union shows a negative total effect while religion exhibits a positive total effect on the likelihood of cohabitation. The total effect of age suggests that when youth form marital union at an older age, it is less likely to be in the form of cohabitation. The total effect of age on cohabitation is significantly mediated by having experience of a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship and attitude towards live-in arrangement. Additionally, the positive coefficient that religion exhibits strongly suggests that in the context of Catholic and non-Catholic, religious affiliation influences the likelihood of cohabitation. The total effect of religion is mediated with the significant effects of attitude toward premarital sex and live-in, as well as religiosity.

With these findings, the cohabitation experience among ever-married Filipino youth indicates that those with positive attitudes toward cohabitation, permissive social environments, and a sense of personal control over relationship choices are more likely to cohabit, while those with traditional values, older age, and stronger religious beliefs are more likely to choose formal marriage over cohabitation. Cohabitation is increasing and will likely still increase in the future; their situation should be monitored in view of the absence of legal recognition of their marital union status. The need for programs and interventions at familial and personal level is also important to promote the welfare of cohabiting Filipino youth.

Keywords: cohabitation, marital union formation, ever-married Filipino youth, YAFS5, path analysis, general structural equation modeling