Does Being Married Help Your Mental and Physical Health?

Being married or in a committed relationship offers security, passion and friendship – if you choose a stable, compatible partner. But how does marriage affect health? A new study published in the British Medical Journal addressed the issue of marriage and how it affects both physical and mental health. Find out more about marriage and whether it’s good for your mind and body.

Marriage and Longevity

According to research carried out by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, marriage and longevity are positively linked, although not all studies looking at this issue are well-designed. It’s difficult to say whether married people live longer because they’re in a committed relationship or whether it’s because healthier people are more likely to marry. To carry out a good study would require controlling for health variations prior to marriage. But from what is known, the positive benefits of marriage and longevity are most pronounced among married men.

Marriage and Health: Do Happy Marriages Bring Greater Physical and Emotional Health?

Researchers in the British Medical Journal point out men who are married enjoy the benefits of greater physical health, while married women experience better mental health. Research from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found the same thing, although only married men described their general physical health as better – not married women.

Women may benefit more than men from a mental health standpoint. Research shows that married men, but particularly married women, have fewer symptoms of depression – and depression levels rise when a married couple heads for divorce court. The sense of security a committed relationship brings likely accounts for the better mental health of married people.

When it comes to marriage and health, not all unions are happy ones. BMJ researchers point out that people in unhealthy marriages and those who divorce are less mentally content than people who remained single. They also point out that people who have multiple partners and relationships over a lifetime have a greater risk of dying early.

Marriage and Longevity: The Take-Home Message

Choosing the right partner can have a positive benefits for your physical and mental well-being and may even prolong your life. The bottom line? Choose your mate wisely – your health could be on the line.

References:

Eurekalert.org. “Marriage is good for physical and mental health”

ASPE Research Brief. “The effects of marriage on health”