From the article at OSU Research News, http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/maritalsep.htm:

“Long-term separation seems to be the low-cost, do-it-yourself alternative to divorce for many disadvantaged couples,” said Dmitry Tumin, co-author of the study and a doctoral student in sociology at Ohio State University. “Separation may not be their first choice, but they may feel it is their best choice.”

Tumin conducted the study with Zhenchao Qian, professor of sociology at Ohio State. They will present their results Aug. 20 in Denver at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association.