Final answer:
Cohabitation has a negligible effect on marriage success and little distinction is found in marital satisfaction between cohabitating and married couples in late adulthood.
Step-by-step explanation:
Research suggests that cohabitation has little effect on the success of a marriage, and those who do not cohabitate before marriage have slightly better rates of remaining married for more than ten years. Cohabitation is often seen as a 'trial run' for marriage, and a majority of cohabitating relationships eventually lead to marriage. However, the trend of cohabitation and delayed marriage does indicate a change in societal values, with many couples living together to save money on living costs or to spend more time together before deciding on marriage.
Marital satisfaction between cohabitating and married couples in late adulthood does not significantly differ, as more complex factors beyond the mere status of cohabitation or marriage likely contribute to relationship satisfaction.