It’s not surprising to come across studies and claims stating that married people tend to have longer and healthier lives compared to those who are single. However, recent research by scientists at Ohio State University suggests that the correlation between marriage and good health might not be as strong as we once thought.
The researchers in the study led by Hui Zheng, assistant professor of sociology at Ohio State, found that marriage doesn’t provide health benefits for everyone. In fact, for those who are already in poor health, being married seems to have little to no effect on their well-being.
Not All Married People Are Healthier
When looking into the relationship between marriage and health, Zheng highlights that they “believe marriage is still good for the health of some people, but it is not equally protective for everyone.” The findings show that being unmarried significantly increases one’s risk of dying within the next three years. However, for those in poor health, whether they’re married or single doesn’t affect their chances of passing away.
Zheng explains, “results suggest that marriage may be important for the prevention of disease, but not as helpful once people become seriously ill.” This means that those in excellent health may see a protective effect from marriage, but this starts to fade when their health becomes worse.
Married People Tend to Overestimate Their Health
An interesting aspect of the study was the discovery that married individuals generally overestimated how healthy they were. Zheng says, “the married don’t seem to report their health as being poor until they’ve already developed much more severe health problems.” This indicates that married people have a different threshold for what they consider bad health compared to unmarried individuals.
Consequently, once a married person says their health is “poor,” they might actually be in worse condition than a single person who also claims their health is poor.
The Power of Social Support
So, why do married people believe they are healthier? One possible reason is the impact of social support. Married individuals typically have access to a support system in their spouse, which can help them navigate life’s challenges and stressors. This support system can be especially helpful for those in good health, as it may offer protection against illnesses and other health problems.
For example, studies have shown that having strong social connections can boost the immune system, reduce stress, and even lower the risk of developing mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
However, being married isn’t the only way to build a strong support system. Other forms of social connections—such as friendships and involvement in community organizations—can also provide valuable emotional and practical support.
