Is Marriage Good for You?

Perhaps it was Henny Youngman who once said, “I sure know how to have a long marriage, but not a happy one.” Unfortunately, many Americans may agree with him, but according to science, being married is actually good for your health, though some studies show that men may benefit more than women. A bad marriage, however, can wreak havoc on your system no matter what gender you are.

On the Whole, Marriage is Beneficial

According to a 2004 report by the Centers for disease Control and Prevention (CDC), married adults experienced greater health benefits than unmarried adults. These included being less likely to be in fair or poor health; less likely to suffer from conditions such as headaches and serious psychological distress; less likely to be limited in various activities including work and those associated with daily living; and less likely to smoke or drink heavily.

There was one important exception: married men were more likely to be overweight or obese than their single counterparts.

Other studies have also shown that married people in general have lowered rates of mortality, morbidity and mental disorders that their unmarried counterparts.

On the other hand, there are also a handful of studies that indicate unmarried women tend to fare better in terms of health and overall happiness than those that are married.

Why Does Marriage Impart Health Benefits?

While there hasn’t been a definitive study to conclusively explain the link between marriage and improved health, several have posited the following:

·  People may select partners that they believe to be in good health, attractive, and adverse to risk, with secure income and other indicators of good health.

·  Marriage may increase the individual’s social and community integration.

·  Married couples tend to have a stronger financial picture.

·  Having a spouse provides a source of support for maintaining a household as well as handling stressful life events.

·  Being married may counteract tendencies toward negative health behaviors such as smoking and heavy drinking.

Bad Marriages Create Unhealthy People

Those who suffer an unhappy marriage may suffer negative impacts to their physical and emotional health. For example, in one study conducted by Dr. Debra Umberson, a sociology professor at the University of Texas, people who were unhappily married had higher rates of heart disease and faster declining health with older age (March 2006 issue of “Journal of Health and Social Behavior”).

"While the married exhibit better health than the unmarried, it is not the case that any marriage is better than no marriage," writes Umberson in the report on the study. "The quality of relationships is also linked to health."

If you had questions before as to the importance of your marriage, now you know—it doesn’t just affect you emotionally and financially, but health-wise as well. If you’re marriage is on the rocks, you owe it to yourself, your spouse, and your future to do all you can to improve your situation.