According to scientific research, marriage has been associated with various health advantages, including a reduced risk of heart disease, longer life expectancy—particularly for men—a lower chance of depression, and improved cancer survival rates. However, the findings of a recent study suggest that marriage may also pose an increased risk of dementia.
After adjusting for age and sex, researchers discovered that individuals who were widowed, divorced, or never married had approximately a 50% lower risk of developing dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia, compared to those who were married. These associations remained consistent for older adults who were divorced or never married after controlling for variables such as age, sex, race, ethnicity, education, and other health risks. The study was published in the “Alzheimer’s & Dementia” journal of the Alzheimer’s Association.
The researchers noted the possibility of “delayed diagnoses among unmarried individuals,” as those who are married are reportedly more inclined to access preventive medical care, often prompted by partners who notice early symptoms. Additionally, individuals in the early stages of dementia may be unaware of their symptoms, potentially leading to delayed diagnoses, especially among those lacking feedback from a close partner.
The researchers from Florida State University College of Medicine speculated that the findings might challenge the assumption that marriage offers protection against dementia. To arrive at these results, the scientists analyzed health records from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center, involving 24,107 elderly individuals, with an average age of 71.8 years, over a period of 18 years. These individuals were categorized into four groups: married, widowed, divorced, and never married.
In contrast, a 2017 study conducted by the College of London arrived at an opposite conclusion, asserting that single or widowed individuals are more susceptible to dementia compared to those who are married. This conclusion was based on a review of 15 existing studies, published in the “Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry.”
The researchers from Florida provided potential explanations for their findings. They noted evidence indicating increased well-being domains, such as happiness and life satisfaction, after divorce, as well as greater social participation following partner bereavement. It was also noted that never-married individuals are more likely to socialize with friends and neighbors and engage in healthier behaviors than their married peers.
Married individuals, on the other hand, tend to experience less social integration and participate in less frequent and lower-quality social interactions. The positive aspects of well-being and social ties among unmarried individuals, they suggested, could act as protective factors against dementia over time.
Existing theories propose that marriage may lead to better health due to stronger immune function, lower stress levels, healthier behaviors, enhanced mental health supported by solid social networks, and the possibility that individuals who marry may have been healthier prior to marriage since those with health issues are less likely to marry.
The researchers emphasized that the quality of a marriage could significantly impact health outcomes. They highlighted substantial evidence indicating that health benefits are primarily evident in high-quality marriages. Conversely, those in unhappy marriages may experience similar or worse health and mortality risks compared to widowed, divorced, or never-married individuals, suggesting marital quality plays a crucial role in health associations.
More insights on dementia include recognizing early warning signs, exploring the potential preventive benefits of the shingles vaccine, and adopting lifestyle changes to reduce dementia risk amid predictions that U.S. cases could double by 2060. This report was initially featured on Fortune.com.
