Get healthy to marry or marry to get healthy?

Abstract

This study tested selection and causal effects on the marriage-health link by analyzing predictors of mortality through body mass index (BMI) and chronic illnesses (CI) on emerging adults (EA; N = 302) who were followed biannually for 8 years from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics. Results showed EA with unhealthy BMI's are more likely to marry and improve their BMI after marrying, substantiating selection and causal effects. Only the selection effect was substantiated for CI, whereby White EAs with CI were less likely to marry. Marriage appears to benefit overall health for EA, as findings suggest improved health behaviors after marriage. Future research should assess what health behaviors change during marriage for EA and if they help CI management.