Work

The Contribution of Stressful Marital Interactions to Loneliness and Health across Mid-life and Later Adulthood

Year: 2020

Type: article

Abstract: Although past research has noted longitudinal, and sometimes bi-directional, associations between marital interactions, loneliness, and physical health, previous work has not identified long-term associations and differential associations over life-course stages (i.e., mid-life and later adulthood). Utilizing a life-course stress process perspective and a sample of 250 couples in enduring marriages over 17 years (2001-2017), a structural equation model within a dyadic framework assessed the unique influences of stressful marital interactions on loneliness and physical health and the variation in bi-directional influences of loneliness and physical health over time. Marital interactions were relatively stable across life stages, yet marital interactions appear to influence loneliness and physical health. Notable distinctions were evident across life stages (from mid-life to later adulthood and then within later adulthood). Findings are discussed with an emphasis on the implications for health promotion and prevention programs targeting couples' quality of life in later years.

Source: Journal of Family Issues

DOI: 10.1177/0192513x20921927

Authors: Catherine Walker O’Neal, Kandauda (K.A.S.) Wickrama

Institution: University of Georgia

Language: English

Topic: Attachment and Relationship Dynamics

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institute on Aging, National Institute of Mental Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development