An APA (American Psychological Association) Study recently addressed the question of whether marriage helps or hinders the health of women. This is what was found.
The study, involving middle-aged women over a 13-year period.
Results indicate that women in marriages characterized by high levels of satisfaction showed a health advantage when compared with participants in marriages characterized by low levels of satisfaction and with unmarried participants (single, widowed or divorced).
Happy marriages led to:
Lower levels of cardiovascular risk factors – such as
1) Better blood pressure
2) Better cholesterol levels
3) a Better body mass index
As well as lower levels of:
1) Depression
2) Anxiety
3) Anger
Women in highly satisfying marriages also showed this same health advantage when compared with women in moderately satisfying marriages, but to a lesser extent.
The study found that marriage itself may offer a health advantage by providing:
1) Social support
2) Protecting against social isolation
Also, spousal influence and involvement may encourage health-promoting behaviors and deter unhealthy behaviors. Married people, especially women, may also be at a health advantage relative to their unmarried counterparts through the increased availability of socioeconomic resources.
