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Measuring Life Course Complexity with Dynamic Sequence Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • David Pelletier

    (Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS)
    McGill University
    Université de Montréal)

  • Simona Bignami-Van Assche

    (Université de Montréal
    CIRANO
    McGill University)

  • Anaïs Simard-Gendron

    (Université de Montréal)

Abstract

The transformation of life courses in industrialized countries since the mid-twentieth century can be analyzed through the lens of life course complexity, a function of the number of transitions or states experienced by individuals over a given time span. Life course complexity is often measured with composite indices in a static sequence analysis framework (i.e. over a single age interval), but this method has seldom been evaluated. This paper fills this gap. We review nine indicators of life course complexity and explore the advantages of a dynamic approach to sequence analysis (i.e. examining many nested or consecutive age intervals). An application to data on the partnership histories of American and French women is used to show the properties of each measure. We conclude that simple indicators, used alone or in combination, provide a more easily interpretable description of changes and differentials in life course complexity than commonly used composite indices. In addition, we show that, for all indicators, a dynamic approach allows a more nuanced illustration of age-related transformations of life course complexity than the static approach does.

Suggested Citation

  • David Pelletier & Simona Bignami-Van Assche & Anaïs Simard-Gendron, 2020. "Measuring Life Course Complexity with Dynamic Sequence Analysis," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 152(3), pages 1127-1151, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:152:y:2020:i:3:d:10.1007_s11205-020-02464-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-020-02464-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marc A. Scott & Jean-Marie Goff & Jacques-Antoine Gauthier, 2024. "History matters: the statistical modelling of the life course," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 58(1), pages 445-469, February.
    2. Michaël Boissonneault, 2021. "Period measures of life course complexity," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 44(47), pages 1133-1148.
    3. Zachary Van Winkle & Anette Fasang, 2021. "The complexity of employment and family life courses across 20th century Europe: More evidence for larger cross-national differences but little change across 1916‒1966 birth cohorts," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 44(32), pages 775-810.

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