Marital Status and Personal Well-Being: A Literature Review.

doi:10.2307/585665

Paper

Marital Status and Personal Well-Being: A Literature Review.

Published 1991 · R. Coombs

Family Relations

Q1 SJR score

389

Citations

23

Influential Citations

Full textSemantic Scholar

Abstract

Do unmarried individuals experience more emotional and health problems than their married counterparts? According to more than 130 empirical studies on a number of well-being indices, married men and women are generally happier and less stressed than the unmarried. Marriage is particularly rewarding for men. This review finds little support for the selection hypothesis which asserts that the relationship between marital status and well-being is spurious since emotional maturity explains both conditions. However, the evidence is consistent with the protection/support hypothesis that a marital partner who provides companionship and psychic aid buffers individuals against physical and emotional pathology.

Literature Review

Highly Cited

Study Snapshot

Married men and women are generally happier and less stressed than unmarried individuals, with marriage being particularly rewarding for men.

PopulationOlder adults (50-71 years)

Sample size24

MethodsObservational

OutcomesBody Mass Index projections

ResultsSocial networks mitigate obesity in older groups.

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Paper

Marital Status and Personal Well-Being: A Literature Review.

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References

Sex Differences in Depression

Women are twice as likely as men to experience depression, but the causes and implications for future research and practical applications remain unclear.

Patterns of Change in Disability and Well-Being

Post-hospital recovery for chronic conditions in middle-aged and older individuals is generally good, but recovery is often interrupted by low well-being and activity levels, with physical health deteriorating and activity levels improving.

Psychosocial correlates of cancer survival: a subsequent report 3 to 8 years after cancer diagnosis.

No psychosocial factor consistently was associated with length of survival or remission in cancer patients up to 8 years post-diagnosis.

Immunological consequences of acute and chronic stressors: mediating role of interpersonal relationships.

Quality interpersonal relationships may help reduce the adverse immunological changes associated with psychological distress, potentially impacting disease susceptibility and health.

The effect of marital status on stage, treatment, and survival of cancer patients.

Married cancer patients have better diagnosis, treatment choices, and response to treatment than unmarried cancer patients, leading to decreased overall survival.

Prevalence of depression and distress in a large sample of Canadian residents, interns, and fellows.

Depression is prevalent among Canadian residents, interns, and fellows, with higher rates in women, unmarried staff, and specialty, with higher rates in the first year of postgraduate training.

Benefits of Marriage for Reducing Risk of Violent Death from Suicide and Homicide for White and Nonwhite Persons: Generalizing Gove's Findings

Marriage reduces the relative risk of suicide and homicide more for men than for women, for both white and nonwhite groups.

First‐admission rates and marital status of schizophrenics

Schizophrenics are more likely to be diagnosed late in treatment, possibly due to less severe symptoms, than those diagnosed at first admission.

Citations