Methodological Features of the Study of Marital Behavior in Older Age Groups

Introduction. The article analyzes methodological approaches to the study of marital behavior of older age groups in the context of population aging. The features of the concept operationalization, sources of empirical data, limitations of statistical accounting, as well as problems of interpretation of marriage, divorce, remarriage and widowhood at a late age are considered. Special attention is paid to longitudinal studies and comparative international databases. The goal of the study was to develop and theoretically and methodologically substantiate a comprehensive framework for studying the marital behavior of older age groups in the context of population aging, including the integration of the concept of life course, gender analysis, institutional context and the use of combined sources of empirical data (official statistics and longitudinal studies). Materials and methods. The research is theoretical and methodological in nature and is aimed at systematizing existing approaches to the analysis of marital behavior of the population of older age groups. Results. In the context of continuing population aging, the improvement of methodological tools for studying marital behavior in older age groups becomes essential for scientific research and adequate understanding of the transformation of the institution of family in the 21st century.

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