To stay or go: Relationship dissolution and repartnering after paternal incarceration

Objective: This study investigated how relationship dissolution and repartnering shape women's relationship quality after their partner's incarceration and evaluates whether incarceration is a unique context for relationship transitions. Background: Millions of couples in the United States face incarceration each year, and many relationships do not survive the experience. Although these breakups are typically framed as negative events, it is unclear whether relationship dissolution harms or helps women navigating the incarceration of their partner or coparent. Method: Using longitudinal data from the Fragile Families study, this article contrasts the experiences of women who stayed with their child's father through his incarceration, those who separated and remained single, and those who separated and repartnered. Three domains of relationship quality were considered: cooperativeness of parenting relationships, supportiveness of romantic relationships, and risk of domestic violence. Results: Data reveal that most relationships end, creating an opportunity for mothers to form stronger relationships with more advantaged new partners. Incarceration also provides a distinct context for repartnering, amplifying both the advantages and disadvantages of dissolution. Conclusion: Most couples experiencing paternal incarceration will also navigate relationship dissolution, and many will integrate a new partner into the family. For many women, particularly those whose relationships have become violent, these transitions may be sources of resilience rather than hardship. Implications: Rather than a proscriptive focus on preserving families, these findings highlight the need to support families simultaneously navigating incarceration and changing family roles.