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Relationship Functioning and Gut Microbiota Composition among Older Adult Couples.
Qiwen Cheng1, Rosa Krajmalnik-Brown1,2, John K DiBaise3
1Biodesign Center for Health through Microbiomes, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA.
Summary
Older couples share similar gut microbes. Higher relationship quality in older adults is linked to greater gut microbial diversity, indicating better gut health.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Microbiome Research
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Gut health is a key indicator of overall health, often declining with age.
- Research is exploring the connection between couple functioning and physical health, extending to gut health.
- Understanding factors influencing gut microbiota in aging populations is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of remote data collection, including fecal samples, from older adult couples.
- To investigate the similarity (concordance) in gut microbial composition between partners in a couple.
- To examine the relationship between aspects of relationship functioning and gut microbiota composition.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study involving 30 older adult couples (N=60).
- Remote data collection including self-report measures and fecal sample microbiome analysis (16S rRNA gene sequencing).
- Statistical analyses to compare within-couple microbial similarity and correlate relationship functioning with microbial diversity.
Main Results:
- Individuals exhibited significantly higher gut microbial similarity with their partners compared to others in the sample (p < 0.0001).
- Better relationship quality (satisfaction, intimacy, less avoidant communication) was associated with greater gut microbial diversity (p < 0.05).
- This suggests a healthier gut microbiota profile in individuals reporting higher relationship quality.
Conclusions:
- Remote data collection is feasible for studying couple's gut health.
- Couples share a degree of gut microbial similarity.
- Relationship quality may play a role in maintaining gut microbiota diversity in older adults.
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