A recently published 13-year longitudinal study assessing the effect of marriage on women shows that a good marriage supports women’s health.
How might being in a good marriage influence health? Previous research indicates several direct and indirect factors may be a work, according to the authors. Marriage itself may offer a health advantage by providing social support and protecting against the risks associated with social isolation. Also, spousal influence and involvement may encourage health-promoting behaviors and deter unhealthy behaviors. Married people, especially women, may also be at a health advantage relative to their unmarried counterparts through the increased availability of socioeconomic resources.
However, research shows poor marital quality may erase these health advantages, say the authors. Marital stress is associated with lifestyle risk factors and nonadherence to medical regimens. Poor marital quality is also linked with more depression, hostility and anger, all risk factors for coronary heart disease. Thus, marital status and quality could influence metabolic risk factors and acute stress responses, which in turn predict cardio-vascular morbidity and mortality, according to the study.