Recent studies suggest couples who live together before marriage are:

Research indicates that couples who cohabitate before marriage often face unique challenges that can lead to lower levels of marital satisfaction and an increased likelihood of divorce. The common premise behind this finding is the belief that living together prior to marriage may alter the dynamics of commitment and relationship expectations. Specifically, some couples may rely on the cohabitation arrangement as a substitute for the commitment of marriage, leading to a lack of urgency to fully engage in the relationship.

Cohabitating couples might experience what is termed "sliding vs. deciding," where they end up living together without fully discussing and agreeing upon the implications of that choice. This can create issues later in marriage as unresolved disagreements or different expectations may surface. Furthermore, studies have shown that these couples often report lower levels of happiness and relationship satisfaction compared to those who wait until marriage to live together.

Factors such as communication styles, conflict resolution approaches, and individual backgrounds can significantly impact the success of these relationships, setting the stage for potential difficulties once the marriage commitment is made. Thus, the suggestion that couples who live together before marriage are less happy with their marriages and more likely to divorce aligns with significant research findings in the field of family dynamics and relationships.