Household indebtedness and separation in Britain: evidence from the Families and Children Survey [2012] CFLQ 24

We examine the effect of household financial indebtedness on the incidence of partnership dissolution using a large household survey of families with children in Britain. We use detailed data on household finances to provide a more robust statistical analysis of the relationship and to avoid the potential simultaneity of financial and psychological health. We examine whether the data provide any support for the ‘economic' models of divorce and separation of Gary Becker and others.