Repartnering after marital dissolution: does the context play a role?

This paper intends to examine in depth the determinants of repartnering in Italy. With data from the survey “Family and Social Subjects” conducted in 2003, the effects of socio-economic, demographic and contextual characteristics on second-union formation among separated women are examined. In particular, the hypothesis that the demographic determinants of repartnering differ according to geographical context, defined by the level of diffusion of marital instability, is taken into consideration. Results of event history analysis models confirm the basic hypothesis and show some unexpected different effects.