Marriage is good for Men’s Health as They Age, Study Says

By Adebowale Bello. B.Tech Microbiology. Freelance Health Writer.

Elderly black couple with happy expression

“It turns out that marriage can really be good for men's health as they age. Men who stayed married throughout the study were more than twice as likely to age well, compared to men who were never married. Surprisingly, even men who had lost their spouses were more likely to age successfully than those who never married.”

As we age, many factors influence our health and well-being such as our habits, our genes and even our relationships.

Talking about relationship, it is commonly believed that a healthy marriage provides emotional support, companionship and stability, but does it truly benefit the health of the couple as they age? 

A recent Canadian study took a close look at how marriage impacts what they call “successful aging.” This study offers new insights, suggesting that marriage may provide more substantial health benefits to men than women as they age.

About the study

Researchers from the University of Toronto analyzed sample data of aging individuals which focused on over 7,600 adults aged 60 and above. The aim of the research was to understand how different marital status such as being continuously married, widowed or never married affected "successful aging”.

The researchers defined successful aging as a combination of the following factors:

• Physical wellness (no limitations in daily activities, no chronic pain)

• Psychological and emotional wellness (absence of anxiety, depression and memory problems)

• Social wellness (having adequate social support)

• Self-rated wellness (feeling positive about one's aging process, physical health and mental health)

What the study found

Using this approach, the study found that approximately 70.5% of participants were aging successfully—a much higher percentage than previous studies, thereby reflecting a more balanced and realistic view of aging well.

The role of marriage in promoting successful aging revealed some interesting gender differences. On the surface, being married or recently married was associated with a higher likelihood of aging successfully, compared to never being married. However, when the researchers dug deeper and analyzed men and women separately, they uncovered some striking differences.

It turns out that marriage can really be good for men's health as they age. Men who stayed married throughout the study were more than twice as likely to age well, compared to men who were never married. Surprisingly, even men who had lost their spouses were more likely to age successfully than those who never married.

But the most interesting finding was for men who got married during the study—they were nearly four times more likely to age well compared to men who had never been married.

For women, the story was quite different. Surprisingly, the study found no significant differences in successful aging between women who had never married and those who had remained married, widowed or divorced.

The only exception occurred when women transitioned out of marriage—through widowhood, separation or divorce—during the study period. These women had lower odds of aging successfully compared to women who had never been married.

Lessons Africans may learn from the study

Although the findings from the Canadian study cannot be said to be directly applicable to Africans, the findings provide interesting insights that Africans may do well to take a look at.

For one, the finding that marriage presents more benefits to men's health is worthy of attention to Africans.and there are several potential reasons why this could be so across nations and cultures. 

First, marriage provides men regardless of their race or ethnicity, with a built-in support system—something they may not have as readily when single. Additionally, married men may be more likely to engage in healthier behaviors, thanks to spousal influence, while also benefiting from the financial stability marriage can offer. On an emotional level, the companionship that marriage provides could be particularly vital for men as they age.

In contrast, the lack of significant differences in women’s health outcomes between various marital status suggests that women may be more adept at maintaining their well-being, regardless of their relationship status. This particular finding should not sound surprising within African cultural systems, where women in or out of marriages are renowned for their grit, and resilience. 

Women globally and also in Africa tend to cultivate stronger social networks outside of marriage, engage in self-care practices and demonstrate greater adaptability to life changes, such as widowhood or divorce. These factors may protect them from the negative health effects associated with being single.

While this study doesn't suggest that marriage directly causes better health outcomes, it does highlight the importance of strong social connections and support systems as we age. Those are qualities that are worthy of note.

Wrap Up

For men, the takeaways are clear; A healthy marriage, is good for your health as you age. If on the other hand you're not married, it's essential to actively nurture social networks and build emotional support systems to tap into as you age. Women, on the other hand, should continue to prioritize their self-care practices and social relationships, regardless of marital status.

From an African public health perspective, the findings from the study highlight the need to ensure that older adults of all marital status have access to support systems and resources, with particular attention to never-married men and recently divorced or widowed women, who may be at greater risk of health challenges.

Whether you are married or not, staying physically active, maintaining your mental health, fostering social connections and keeping a positive outlook on life (optimism) is highly beneficial for your heaalth as you age.

Source:

Ho, M, Pullenayegum, E, Burnes, D, & Fuller-Thomson, E. (2024). The association between trajectories of marital status and successful aging varies by sex: Findings from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA). International Social Work, 0(0). doi: 10.1177/00208728241267791. Available from here.

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Published: September 20, 2024

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