Better together: marriage linked to lower depression risk in new study

A recent study published in the academic journal Nature Human Behavior reveals that unmarried individuals face a significantly higher risk of depression compared to their married counterparts. The research team, which includes Kefeng Li from the Macao Polytechnic University and Harvard University, analyzed data from 106,556 adults across seven countries: the United States, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Ireland, South Korea, China, and Indonesia.

The researchers conducted both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies with participants followed for between four and 18 years, representing approximately 541 million adults, about 10% of the world's adult population. They used nationally representative, de-identified individual-level data to examine the association between marital status and depressive symptoms across diverse cultural backgrounds. The data was collected using self-report questionnaires rather than clinical diagnoses, which may affect the accuracy of reported depressive symptoms.

Findings from the study indicate that unmarried individuals have an 80% higher probability of experiencing depressive symptoms compared to married individuals, with a pooled odds ratio for the increased risk of 1.86. Divorced or separated individuals had a 99% greater risk of depressive symptoms, and widowed individuals faced a 64% higher risk compared to married individuals.

The research further highlights that both men and women have a higher risk of experiencing emotional distress if they are single, but the phenomenon is more pronounced in men. Among males, the risk of depressive symptoms was greater compared to females, especially among single or separated men. Unmarried individuals with higher education levels also have a greater risk of depression than those with lower education levels, and this risk is especially high among men.

Geographical variations were observed in the relationship between marital status and depression. Unmarried individuals in Western countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland, have a higher risk of depression than those in Eastern countries like South Korea, China, and Indonesia. In the United States and Ireland, depressive symptoms are two to three times more common in single men than in married men. In South Korea, the depression rate among unmarried individuals is higher than in other Eastern countries, regardless of gender, education level, or income level. The increase in risk for single individuals is 106% in South Korea, 99% in China, and 89% in Indonesia.

Researchers suggest that the lower rates of depression among married couples could be because they are able to socially support one another, have better access to economic resources, and have a positive influence on each other's well-being, indicating that living in a couple can be a protective factor against depression. The authors attribute the gender difference in depression risk to the fact that women usually have broader and stronger social support networks than men. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 5% of adults live with some major depressive disorder.

Professor Kefeng Li stated, "This study is consistent with existing research that shows the quality of life of lonely people is lower than that of sociable people," as reported by Segye. Among the hypotheses explaining the association between marital status and depression, the researchers point out the impact of the emotional and social support that having a partner can provide.

The study acknowledges certain limitations. The data was collected using self-report questionnaires rather than clinical diagnoses, which may affect the accuracy of reported depressive symptoms. Additionally, all of the couples analyzed in the study were heterosexual, with the authors noting, "Our analysis has been limited to heterosexual couples due to the lack of data on same-sex marriages." This limitation reduces the applicability of the results to other types of relationships.

The authors emphasize the need for new studies to deepen the understanding of the risk factors for depression. This information can be valuable for designing more inclusive mental health policies oriented to different social and demographic profiles. The findings of this study offer a new perspective on the role of marital status in mental health and provide a deeper understanding of the social factors that may influence depression.

The researchers open the possibility of developing interventions that specifically address the needs of unmarried individuals, particularly men and those with higher education levels, to mitigate the effects of depression in specific population sectors. The study underscores the need to consider how individual and contextual factors can differently impact the emotional well-being of individuals. A greater understanding of these dynamics could help mitigate the effects of depression in specific population sectors.

Sources: The Independent, Nature, Komsomolskaya Pravda, Jersey Evening Post, Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Sky News, Gestin, Pu00e1gina/12, El Mundo, La Opinin, La Vanguardia

This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq