A new study found that people who have happy marriages also lead healthier lives and fall sick less often.
Researchers from Brigham Young University conducted a follow-up of a previous study that stated people in meaningful relationships tend to live longer. In the new 20-year longitudinal study tracking health and marriage quality, the same group of researchers found that longer, happier marriages also lead to healthier lives.
"There's evidence from previous research that marital conflict leads to poor health," author of the study, Ricky Miller said in a BYU press release. "But this study also shows happy marriages have a preventative component that keeps you in good health over the years."
The study, touted to be the longest study on marital life quality, looked at a sample of 1,681 married people for over two decades. The team of researchers, led by Miller measured the quality of each participant's life based on two parameters - the first been satisfaction and happiness and the second being marital problems. Participants were then asked to rate their health conditions on a scale of one to four (1 being excellent and 4 being poor).
Researchers observed that participants who reported higher marital conflict also reported poorer health conditions, leading authors of the study to conclude that "marital conflict is a risk factor for poor health."
Miller says the reason behind this could be because happily married couples often encourage each other to stay on track with doctors' visits, sleep better, eat healthier and drink less. They are also more empathetic and supportive of each other during their bad times, which reduces stress buffering a healthy life.
Miller hopes that the findings of his study grab the attention of policy makers in the field of public health. For example, health insurance for married people should cover marriage counseling so that people can discuss their marital problems with a professional. This could avoid future health problems.
The study is published in the June issue of the Journal of Marriage and Family.
