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Both Partnership History and Current Relationship Quality are Associated With Life Satisfaction in Old Age
Elisa Tambellini1,2, Mirkka Danielsbacka1,2, Anna Rotkirch1
1Population Research Institute of Väestöliitto, Helsinki, Finland.
Research on Aging
|December 17, 2024
Summary
Long-term relationship stability is linked to higher life satisfaction. Current relationship quality can buffer the negative effects of unstable partnership histories on wellbeing for both men and women.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Sociology
- Psychology
Background:
- Romantic relationships profoundly affect physical and mental wellbeing throughout life.
- Both partnership history and current relationship quality are crucial for later-life wellbeing, yet their interplay is understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term impact of diverse partnership histories on subjective wellbeing.
- To determine if current relationship quality mediates the association between partnership history and life satisfaction.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) Finland.
- Categorized individuals into five partnership history clusters.
- Analyzed the mediating role of relationship quality (satisfaction, conflict) on life satisfaction.
Main Results:
- Continuous partnership histories were associated with the highest life satisfaction.
- Unstable partnership histories correlated with lower wellbeing.
- High relationship satisfaction and low conflict positively impacted wellbeing for both sexes.
Conclusions:
- Current relationship quality significantly mediates the negative effects of unstable partnership histories on wellbeing.
- The positive effects of continuous partnership histories on wellbeing are not altered by current relationship quality.
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