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Updated: May 17, 2025
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Published on: May 31, 2021
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Stable Marital Histories Predict Happiness and Health Across Educational Groups
Miika Mäki1,2,3,4, Anna Erika Hägglund5,6, Anna Rotkirch5
1Population Research Institute at the Family Federation of Finland, Helsinki, Finland. miika.maki@vaestoliitto.fi.
Summary
Stable marriages are linked to better well-being in older adults, regardless of education. However, divorced individuals with lower education report the lowest well-being, highlighting relationship impacts on aging health.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Sociology
- Public Health
Background:
- Couple relationships significantly influence mental and physical health in later life.
- Socioeconomic disparities in the benefits and drawbacks of partnership histories remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between diverse relationship histories and well-being across different educational attainment levels.
- To identify how socioeconomic factors modify the impact of relationship trajectories on aging well-being.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) for cohorts born 1945-1957.
- Developed relationship history typologies and analyzed their association with multiple well-being indicators stratified by education.
Main Results:
- Stable marriages consistently predicted higher well-being compared to single or less stable partnership histories.
- These positive effects of stable partnerships were observed across all educational groups.
- Individuals with lower education and a history of divorce experienced particularly diminished well-being in old age.
Conclusions:
- Past and present romantic relationships are crucial determinants of well-being in older age.
- Individuals with fewer socioeconomic resources may be more vulnerable to the negative well-being consequences of relationship dissolution.
- Findings can inform targeted policies to support vulnerable aging populations based on relationship history and socioeconomic status.
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