Double Trouble: Does Job Loss Lead to Union Dissolution and Vice Versa?

Abstract A now-substantial literature claims that job loss and union dissolution (the end of a marriage or cohabiting relationship) each increase individuals’ risk the other, highlighting major negative life events in labour market family can spill over across domains. We address three limitations this research using UK data. First, these associations might arise from unmeasured factors which jointly predispose individuals to two events. Second, distinction between (an event) unemployment state it may lead to) has been neglected. Third, where impact considered, its duration not. simultaneously model both processes: does (or being unemployed) dissolution, divorced/separated) loss? To investigate role unobserved, time-invariant confounders, we individual-specific effects as random variables allowed correlate models for outcomes. Upon allowing such cross-process correlations, find have modest non-significant prospective with one another. also no support connection divorced/separated subsequent loss. Unemployment appears dissolution; by attending uncover gender differences relationship.