Intimate Partner Relationships and Health
The linkages between intimate relationships and superior physical and mental health are well documented. Contemporary scholars explore under what conditions, for which outcomes, for whom, and through which pathways marriage and other intimate partnerships affect health. The chapter summarizes conceptual frameworks for understanding marriage and health, and contemporary empirical studies yielding four main discoveries: Relationship status is powerfully linked to health in cross-sectional studies, yet weaker associations are found in longitudinal studies that account for social selection; the protective effects of romantic partnerships vary based on characteristics of the union; the marriage–health nexus varies based on gender, race, and age; and (d) integrative science approaches have advanced understanding of the pathways linking social relationships to health. The review draws on population-based longitudinal studies, notably the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study. Implications of contemporary research on marriage and health for policy and practice are highlighted.