Marital Status Continuity and Change Among Young and Midlife Adults

Abstract

Using a life course theoretical framework, this study examined longitudinal effects of continuity and transitions in marital status on multiple dimensions of psychological well-being. Data came from National Survey of Families and Households 1987-1993 respondents ages 19 to 65 ( N = 6,948). Differences between men and women as well as between young and midlife adults were investigated. Multivariate analyses revealed a complex pattern of effects depending on the contrast and the outcome examined. Although marriage continued to promote well-being for both men and women, in some cases—for example, autonomy, personal growth—the single fared better than the married. The effects of continuity in single status were not very different for women in contrast to men. The transition to divorce or widowhood was associated with somewhat more negative effects for women. Midlife adults evidenced more psychological resilience than young adults did in facing the challenges of a marital transition or remaining single over time.

On the promotion of human flourishing

“…The vast majority of studies on marriage and happiness or life satisfaction are cross-sectional. However, the existing longitudinal studies indicate, like the cross-sectional studies, that marriage is associated with higher life satisfaction (39,43) and greater affective happiness (44). Evidence moreover suggests that marriage is associated with better mental health, physical health, and longevity, even controlling for baseline health (45)(46)(47)(48)(49)(50)(51)(52)(53)(54)(55).…”

“…Evidence moreover suggests that marriage is associated with better mental health, physical health, and longevity, even controlling for baseline health (45)(46)(47)(48)(49)(50)(51)(52)(53)(54)(55). Concerning character and virtue, although understudied and current outcome measures are inadequate, there is longitudinal evidence that marriage is associated with higher level of personal growth (44), and with a reduction in crime for those at high risk (56). It is also associated with higher levels of meaning and purpose in life (44).…”

“…Concerning character and virtue, although understudied and current outcome measures are inadequate, there is longitudinal evidence that marriage is associated with higher level of personal growth (44), and with a reduction in crime for those at high risk (56). It is also associated with higher levels of meaning and purpose in life (44). Marriage is moreover associated longitudinally with higher levels of positive relationships with others, higher levels of perceived social support, and lower levels of loneliness (44,57).…”

“…It is also associated with higher levels of meaning and purpose in life (44). Marriage is moreover associated longitudinally with higher levels of positive relationships with others, higher levels of perceived social support, and lower levels of loneliness (44,57). Marriage likewise tends to be associated with better financial outcomes, even controlling for baseline financial status and education (45).…”

Investigating the Structural Validity of Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scales Across Two Samples

“…A significant amount of meaningful data is lost when only 3 or 7 of the original 20 items per variable are used in the data collection as it is likely that the influence of sample characteristics, like gender (Marks & Lambert, 1998), age (Ryff & Keyes, 1995), and culture (Ryff, Keyes, & Hughes, 2004), all of which have been demonstrated to have some effect on PWB, will be reflected on the PWB factor structure, particularly when using a smaller item pool. It may be that sampling characteristics influence particular response patterns to items of different content.…”