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Health and Union Dissolution in Middle and Later Life: A Research Note
Sean D Browning1, Margaret J Penning1, Grace Li1
1Department of Sociology, University of Victoria Faculty of Social Sciences, Canada.
Objective:
This research note assessed the relationship between health status and union dissolution in middle and later life in the Canadian context.
Methods:
Data were drawn from four waves (2014-2020) of the Canadian Longitudinal and International Study of Adults aged 45 and older. Logistic regression analyses examined the effects of stability and changes in self-rated health (SRH) and psychological distress on subsequent marital and cohabiting union dissolution.
Findings:
Unlike those whose SRH declined over time, those who experienced continuing fair/poor SRH had a greater likelihood of subsequent union dissolution compared to those experiencing continuing good/very good/excellent or improved SRH. In contrast, those reporting increased psychological distress were more likely to experience union dissolution later on.
Discussion:
Policies and interventions that limit poor physical and mental health of individuals as they age may also serve to reduce the occurrence of union dissolution and its implications.
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