Simplifying the Complex Complicates Our Findings: Understanding Marriage, Singlehood, and Health

Abstract

Comments on the chapter by Debra Umberson and Rhiannon A. Kroeger (see record [rid]2016-01108-012[/rid]). Umberson and Kroeger's analysis of marital dynamics and health is intriguing. Using a sample of same-sex and different-sex couples, they explored gendered patterns of marriage, marital quality, and health. The authors began by providing a general overview of findings on marriage, health, and gender. As I read their work, four issues immediately came to mind: (a) context first and foremost, (b) singlehood, (c) longevity of married couples, and (d) diversity. I address each of those issues. Before I begin, I would like to commend the authors for daring to tackle such complex issues and congratulate them for recruiting and collecting data from a unique sample. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)