Marriage has long been associated with better health outcomes, and a recent study conducted in Canada further solidifies this belief. The study followed over 7,000 middle-aged and older Canadians for approximately three years to examine the relationship between marital status and successful aging.
The results of the study revealed that married men, or men who became married during the study period, were twice as likely to age optimally compared to their never-married male counterparts. On the other hand, among women, those who had never married were twice as likely to age optimally compared to married women who became widowed or divorced during the study period. Interestingly, married women did not differ significantly from never-married women in terms of optimal aging.
The researchers defined optimal aging as the absence of serious physical, cognitive, mental, or emotional conditions that hinder daily activities, along with high levels of self-reported happiness, good physical health, and mental health. The study focused on participants who were already deemed to be successfully aging at the start of the research.
Social connections also played a significant role in successful aging among older adults. Those who maintained regular contact with relatives, friends, and neighbors were more likely to age optimally compared to socially isolated individuals. Being socially connected can reduce feelings of loneliness and improve overall well-being in later life.
In addition to marital status and social connections, lifestyle factors were also highlighted in the study. Maintaining a healthy body weight, being physically active, avoiding insomnia, and not smoking were all important factors in maintaining optimal health in later life. The researchers emphasized the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle regardless of age, with former smokers being much more likely to age optimally compared to current smokers.
The study, titled “The association between trajectories of marital status and successful aging varies by sex: Findings from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA),” was published in the journal International Social Work. It utilized data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging to explore factors associated with successful aging among older adults.
Overall, the study underscores the importance of understanding sex-specific differences in aging to better support older individuals in thriving in their later years. The findings from this research can inform the development of programs and services aimed at engaging and supporting older adults, particularly those who may have experienced changes in marital status later in life.
For more information on the study, you can refer to the publication in International Social Work. The University of Toronto was instrumental in conducting this research, shedding light on the relationship between marital status, social connections, lifestyle factors, and successful aging.
