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Marital Status Transitions and Self-Reported Health among Canadians: A Life Course Perspective

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  • Sara Zella

    (Swiss Centre of Expertise in the Social Sciences (FORS) and University of Lausanne)

Abstract

This study focuses on the relationship between marital status transitions (the formation and dissolution of unions) and the self-reported health of adults in Canada. Empirical research has found that those in intimate unions generally enjoy better mental and physical health than the unattached and the dissolution of a union causes distress both for men and for women. Much remains to be understood about the effects of marital status transitions on health, especially from a life course perspective. This study poses the following research questions: do the number of marital status transitions and the kind of marital status transitions (from single to cohabitant; from single to married; from cohabitant to married and from married to divorce) affect health over time? Does difference between genders exist in this relationship? Data come from the nine cycles of the Canadian National Population Health Survey (1994–2011) and random-intercept logistic regression models are estimated to address these questions. Results do suggest that marital status transitions play a crucial role in determining health over time. Controlling for socio-demographic characteristics, marriage and cohabitation are associated with better physical and mental health, and depression symptoms are clearly stronger in cases of the dissolution of unions. Differences between genders are also evident.

Suggested Citation

  • Sara Zella, 2017. "Marital Status Transitions and Self-Reported Health among Canadians: A Life Course Perspective," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 12(2), pages 303-325, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ariqol:v:12:y:2017:i:2:d:10.1007_s11482-016-9462-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s11482-016-9462-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Grzegorz Wójcik & Katarzyna Zawisza & Katarzyna Jabłońska & Tomasz Grodzicki & Beata Tobiasz-Adamczyk, 2021. "Transition out of Marriage and its Effects on Health and Health–Related Quality of Life among Females and Males. COURAGE and COURAGE-POLFUS–Population Based Follow-Up Study in Poland," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 16(1), pages 13-49, February.
    2. Sun, Yu & You, Wen, 2018. "Health effects associated with marital status transition among elders in China," 2018 Annual Meeting, August 5-7, Washington, D.C. 274173, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.

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