Family status and self-reported health in West Germany

The goal of the study was to examine the association between family status and several health-related variables, such as perceived general health, health behavior and self-reported morbidity. Data were derived from Health Surveys conducted in West Germany in the framework of the German Cardiovascular Prevention Study. 25'229 males and 26'097 females, aged 25 to 69 years, were examined. Age-adjusted prevalence odds ratios, calculated by multiple logistic regression analysis, were used as effect measure. The reference category was "married, living with partner" throughout. For most health-related variables significantly higher prevalence odds ratios, indicating unhealthy conditions, were observed for "singles", including persons never married, persons living separated, and divorced or widowed persons. Two or more unhealthy health behaviors were found most frequently for divorced persons of either sex. Age-adjusted odds ratios for self-reporting of three or more chronic diseases were 1.31 (p < 0.01) for divorced males, and 1.66 (p < 0.001) for divorced females. Both men and women who were divorced or separated were characterized by an unfavourable health profile.