Relationship transitions and well-being in middle-aged and older men and women

Abstract

Previous research indicates that men suffer more from partner separation and benefit more from cohabitation and marriage in their well-being than women. Targeting middle-aged and older adults, this study investigated whether men’s well-being declines more strongly following separation and increases more strongly when moving in with a partner or marrying in later life. We also examined whether gender differences are linked to emotional support from friends and family or vary by age. Using within-person longitudinal data from 2,840 participants in the Health and Retirement Study, we compared two-year changes in depressive symptoms and life satisfaction between individuals experiencing relationship transitions (separation, moving in together—with or without marriage—and marriage among cohabitators) and propensity-score-matched controls with stable relationship status. Men reported receiving less emotional support than women, but the transition effects did not vary by gender, emotional support, or age. Separation was not associated with declines in well-being. Moving in together, whether accompanied by marriage or not, was associated with increased life satisfaction, while marriage among those already cohabiting was not. Findings indicate that relationship transitions in later life affect men and women similarly. We discuss implications for the role of gender, emotional support, and age in relationship transitions.