Gender Differences in the Relationship Between Marital Status Transitions and Life Satisfaction in Later Life

Abstract

This study examined life satisfaction among individuals who had undergone a transition in marital status and those whose marital status remained stable over a 7-year period. In particular, using data from a large-scale, longitudinal study we assessed life satisfaction as measured in 1983 and 1990 among 2,180 men and women between the ages of 67 and 102. Groups of individuals were identified on the basis of whether a spouse was present or absent at the two measurement points. This allowed for a classification of groups who experienced stability or transitions in marital status. Among those individuals whose marital status remained stable over the 7 years, women's life satisfaction declined and men's remained constant. Among those who experienced a transition--in particular, the loss of a spouse--a decline in life satisfaction was found for both men and women, decline being more predominant for men. In addition, men's life satisfaction increased over the 7-year period if they gained a spouse, whereas the same was not true for women. Generally, these findings imply that the relationship between marital status transitions or stability differs for men and women.

What matters, and what matters most, for change in life satisfaction in the oldest-old? A study over 6 years among individuals 80+

“…Changes in marital status related to widowhood were found to relate to life satisfaction and, in line with previous research, men were particularly afflicted by the loss of their spouse (Cheng & Chan, 2006;Chipperfield & Havens, 2001). The gender difference possibly reflects different marital roles in the cohort born in the first part of the twentieth century.…”

“…Furthermore, the impact of marital transitions seems to vary between genders; bereavement contributes to a steeper decline in life satisfaction with a poorer recovery in men (Cheng & Chan, 2006;Chipperfield & Havens, 2001). Accordingly, future studies need to consider that, although bereavement has long-term effects on life satisfaction, people tend to differ markedly, in particular between genders, in how they are affected.…”

Predicting survival and morbidity-free survival to very old age

“…Given that these two factors were recently cited as responsible for the largest number of deaths in the USA (Danaei et al 2009), a change in these variables could make a large difference in the lives of older adults. Modification of these factors can arise with self-help, assistance from clinically trained personnel, community-based programmes or medication (Chipperfield and Havens 2001;Dickerson and Gibson 2005;Doolan and Froelicher 2008). Other factors such as cognitive status and disability are not as readily modifiable; nevertheless, lifestyle factors (such as physical activity) have been associated with cognitive performance (Newson and Kemps 2006) and absence of disability (Nusselder et al 2008) and could provide an adequate means to their optimal maintenance.…”

Social and Emotional Loneliness Among Divorced and Married Men and Women: Comparing the Deficit and Cognitive Perspectives

“…Research has shown, for example, that men tend to find it more difficult to live without a partner than women do (Chipperfield & Havens, 2001). There is also evidence that marriage offers women less protection than it does men (Gove, Style, & Hughes, 1990;Thomson & Walker, 1989).…”