Co-residence with adult children: a comparison of divorced and widowed women.

This study compares patterns of co-residence with adult offspring for divorcées and widows, aged 40 and over, using 1985 Current Population Survey data. Co-residence with offspring is most likely for recent widows in midlife and recent divorcées in later life. Older recent divorcées are less likely than recent widows to be household heads in these living situations. Finally, daughters appear especially important in the co-resident situation of divorcées. These results are discussed in light of changing patterns of divorce and widowhood in later life.