Marital cohesiveness and dissolution: An integrative review.

Marriage is considered as a special instance of social groups in general. Marital cohesiveness and divorce are viewed in terms of the properties of group cohesiveness. It is suggested, therefore, that the strength of the marital relationship is a direct function of social and psychological attraction and barrier forces inside the marriage, and an inverse function of such influences from alternate relationships. Findings from major investigations of marriage and divorce are cited to illustrate the applicability of the conceptual framework.