Non-Spousal Support, Marital Status, and Mortality Risk

2021 ◽  
pp. 089826432110253
Author(s):  
Adam R. Roth ◽  
Siyun Peng
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Marital Status ◽  
Mortality Risk ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Spousal Support ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Never Married ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Using Data

Objective To investigate whether the association between non-spousal support and mortality risk differs by marital status. Methods Using data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (N = 2460), we estimate a series of logistic regression models to assess how non-spousal support moderates the relationship between marital status and mortality across a 5-year period. Results Never married respondents who had minimal perceived access to non-spousal support had a greater probability of death compared to married respondents with similar levels of non-spousal support. The disparity in mortality risk between these two groups disappeared when non-spousal support was high. Discussion Although family and friends play an important role in mortality risk in later life, these findings suggest that never married older adults exhibit a heightened dependence on support from non-spousal sources. Future research and policies should explore ways in which never married older adults can be integrated into a supportive social environment.

Childlessness, Parenthood, and Depressive Symptoms Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults

2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 670-687 ◽  
Author(s):  
Regina M. Bures ◽  
Tanya Koropeckyj-Cox ◽  
Michael Loree
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Marital Status ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Parental Status ◽  
Never Married ◽  
Biological Parents ◽  
Kinship Relations ◽  
Social Parenthood

Prior research has examined whether parenthood is associated with higher levels of well-being among older adults, but definitions of parental status have varied. The authors examine links between parental status and depressive symptoms among older adults, comparing biological and social definitions of parenthood. The study finds few differences between biological and social parenthood but substantial variation in the relationship between parental status and depressive symptoms by gender and marital status. Biologically and socially childless adults had the lowest predicted levels of depression across all marital status groups. Widowed men averaged higher levels of depression than other men. For women, the highest predicted levels of depressive symptoms were observed among never-married biological parents and formerly married women who had outlived their children. Increased sampling of less common parental subgroups and diverse kinship relations to allow for more precise classifications and the consideration of joint marital—parental statuses in future research.

Closeness, Confiding, and Contact Among Siblings in Middle and Late Adulthood

1995 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 722-745 ◽  
Author(s):  
INGRID ARNET CONNIDIS ◽  
LORI D. CAMPBELL
Keyword(s):  
Marital Status ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Emotional Attachment ◽  
Geographic Proximity ◽  
Late Adulthood ◽  
Emotional Closeness ◽  
Never Married ◽  
Parent Status ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Impact

The authors examine the impact of gender, marital status, and parent status on emotional closeness, confiding, and contact among siblings in middle and later life. Using data from a multistage quota sample that includes 528 respondents aged 55 and older who have one or more siblings, characteristics of both the respondent and the sibling or sibling network are studied. Separate analyses are conducted for the entire sibling network and for the sibling of greatest closeness, confiding, and contact. Women and respondents with sisters, the single (never married), and the childless tend to have more active sibling ties than their counterparts. Several control variables (number of siblings, geographic proximity, age, and education) are also significant. Emotional closeness to siblings is an important factor related to confiding and contact. Findings are discussed in the context of socially proscribed familial obligation and emotional attachment as bases for involvement with siblings.

scholarly journals Marriage and Mortality: The Importance of Non-Spousal Support for Never-Married Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 347-347
Author(s):  
Adam Roth ◽  
Siyun Peng
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Extended Family ◽  
Spousal Support ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Never Married ◽  
Married Individuals ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Levels Of Support

Abstract Married individuals have been shown to consistently outlive their unmarried peers. Although numerous factors contribute to such mortality disparities, spousal support serves as one of the most central marital resources that reduces mortality risk for married older adults. Unmarried older adults, who lack access to such support, tend to rely more heavily on extended family and friends for their social needs. Yet it is unclear whether support from these non-spousal sources can be successfully substituted for spousal support to provide unmarried older adults with similar protection against mortality. In the present study, we use nationally representative data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project to assess whether support from family and friends reduces the mortality differences between married and unmarried older adults. Although we examine all forms of singlehood (i.e., divorce, widowhood, and never married), we pay primary attention to never married older adults in relatively to their married peers as they have been exposed to a lifetime without a spouse. We find that never married older adults are especially sensitive to non-spousal support. More specifically, never married respondents who reported low levels of support were far more likely to die than married respondents who had similar levels of non-spousal support. Yet when support was high, never married respondents were neither more nor less likely to die than their married peers.

Life transitions and leisure activity engagement in later life: findings from the Consumption and Activities Mail Survey (CAMS)

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (8) ◽  
pp. 1603-1623 ◽  
Author(s):  
YURA LEE ◽  
JOOHONG MIN ◽  
IRIS CHI
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Marital Status ◽  
Labour Force ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Leisure Activity ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Activity Engagement ◽  
Never Married

ABSTRACTThis study examined engagement in leisure activities among older adults, specifically focusing on how life transition factors in later life, including retirement and marital status, are associated with leisure activity engagement using a national sample of older American men and women. We conducted multiple regression analyses with a sample of 5,405 individuals (2,318 men; 3,087 women) from the Consumption and Activities Mail Survey, a supplementary sample of the Health and Retirement Study. We analysed activity engagement in each of four domains of leisure activities: mental, physical, social and religious. Retirement status was categorised into three groups: working (referent), completely retired and partly retired. Marital status was categorised into four groups: married (referent), divorced or separated, widowed and never married. We found an overall trend of a positive relationship between retirement and leisure activity engagement, which suggests that retirement provides a chance for older adults to participate in leisure activities after withdrawal from the labour force. The overall trend of a negative relationship between non-married status and leisure activity engagement suggests that the loss or absence of a spouse may serve as a barrier to participate in leisure activities. Nevertheless, variation among retirees and non-married individuals suggests future studies should compare completely and partly retired individuals or those who are widowed, divorced or separated, or never married to elucidate distinguishable leisure activity profiles.

Exploring the Relationship between Marital Status and Women's Retirement Satisfaction

2005 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine A. Price ◽  
Eunjee Joo
Keyword(s):  
Marital Status ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Perceived Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Never Married ◽  
Marriage Rates ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Women's Retirement

Increased divorce rates, declining marriage rates, and a predisposition to widowhood in later life all contribute to the heterogeneous marital histories of women approaching retirement. Existing research on retirement, however, has not considered the diversity in marital status that exists among retired women. The purpose of the present study was to explore the influence of marital status (i.e., married, remarried, widowed, divorced/separated, never-married) on women's retirement satisfaction. Using a purposive sampling method, self-administered questionnaires were distributed to retired women. Participants ( N = 331) were asked to report on their retirement satisfaction, psychological well-being, and perceived health. Results revealed retirement satisfaction and perceived health differed by marital status. Psychological well-being, however, did not differ significantly between marital groups. Future research exploring diversity in marital status among retired women is suggested.

Age and marital status predictors of binge alcohol use among adults with major depressive episode

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Areen Omary
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Marital Status ◽  
Depressive Episode ◽  
Major Depressive Episode ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Never Married ◽  
At Risk Populations

Aims: This study aims to examine if age and marital status can predict the risk for binge alcohol use (BAU) among adults with a major depressive episode (MDE). Methods: Data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) 2018 National Survey for Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) were analyzed. The unweighted sample included 6,999 adults representing a weighted population size of 33,900,452.122 in the US. Results and Conclusions: The findings of this retrospective research confirmed that age and marital status significantly predicted BAU in the past month among adults with MDE. Adults with MDE at higher risk for BAU were adults under the age of 50, adults who were never married, and adults who were divorced/separated. Special attention must be paid to those in age groups under 50, never married, and have been separated/divorced who are particularly at-risk for future alcohol abuse. Future research should consider examining additional potential confounders for BAU among other at-risk populations.

Let’s Drink to Being Socially Active: Family Characteristics, Social Participation, and Alcohol Abuse across Mid- and Later-life

2020 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 453-469
Author(s):  
Eric M. Vogelsang ◽  
Joseph T. Lariscy
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Alcohol Abuse ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
Drinking Behavior ◽  
Marital Dissolution ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Family Characteristics ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Linked Lives ◽  
Using Data

Researchers and practitioners often extol the health benefits of social relationships and social participation for older adults. Yet they often ignore how these same bonds and activities may contribute to negative health behaviors. Using data from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (16,065 observations from 7,007 respondents), we examined how family characteristics, family history, and social participation predicted three measures of alcohol abuse between ages 53 and 71. Results indicate that, generally, greater social participation is associated with increased drinking days per month. We also found that religious participation and having ever lived with an alcoholic are each associated with reporting possible alcohol dependence but not with alcohol consumption itself. Lastly, we identified gendered associations between marital dissolution and drinking behavior. These findings contextualize the increasing rates of alcohol abuse among older adults by emphasizing the possible negative consequences of “linked lives” on health via relationship stress and group norms.

scholarly journals Gaps in social support resources in later life: An adaptational challenge in need of further research

2009 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen S. Rook
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Support Needs ◽  
Adaptive Responses ◽  
Theoretical Perspectives ◽  
Support Resources ◽  
Further Development ◽  
Social Support Resources

Gaps in social support resources in later life may arise when older adults lose social network members due to illness, death, or residential relocation. Gaps also may arise when social networks remain intact but are not well suited to meet older adults' intensifying support needs, such as needs for extended or highly personal instrumental support. Significant gaps in support resources are likely to require adaptive responses by older adults. This discussion highlights theoretical perspectives and illustrates empirical findings regarding the nature and effectiveness of older adults' responses to gaps in their social support resources. The literature examining these issues is relatively small and, as a result, is ripe for further development. Promising directions for future research are suggested.

Community Access and Satisfaction: Racial Differences in Later Life

1983 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 209-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russell A. Ward ◽  
Harold Kilburn
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Survey Data ◽  
Racial Differences ◽  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Community Mobility ◽  
Community Access

Community access can be expected to have an important influence on the life satisfaction of the aged because of age-linked restrictions in social life space. Such access may be less important for older blacks, however, as a consequence of lifelong “ghettoization.” These hypotheses are tested using national survey data. Community mobility is found to have a stronger association with life satisfaction for older whites, while having only an indirect effect through social interaction for older blacks. Directions for future research are suggested.

scholarly journals Coprescribing of Benzodiazepines and Opioids in Older Adults: Rates, Correlates, and National Trends

2018 ◽  
Vol 74 (12) ◽  
pp. 1910-1915 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taeho Greg Rhee
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Physician Visits ◽  
Prescribing Trends ◽  
Clinical Diagnoses ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Using Data ◽  
National Trends ◽  
Ambulatory Medical Care ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Background To estimate prescribing trends of and correlates independently associated with coprescribing of benzodiazepines and opioids among adults aged 65 years or older in office-based outpatient visits. Methods I examined a nationally representative sample of office-based physician visits by older adults between 2006 and 2015 (n = 109,149 unweighted) using data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Surveys (NAMCS). National rates and prescribing trends were estimated. Then, I used multivariable logistic regression analyses to identify demographic and clinical factors associated with coprescriptions of benzodiazepines and opioids. Results From 2006 to 2015, 15,954 (14.6%) out of 109,149 visits, representative of 39.3 million visits nationally, listed benzodiazepine, opioid, or both medications prescribed. The rate of prescription benzodiazepines only increased monotonically from 4.8% in 2006–2007 to 6.2% in 2014–2015 (p < .001), and the rate of prescription opioids only increased monotonically from 5.9% in 2006–2007 to 10.0% in 2014–2015 (p < .001). The coprescribing rate of benzodiazepines and opioids increased over time from 1.1% in 2006–2007 to 2.7% in 2014–2015 (p < .001). Correlates independently associated with a higher likelihood of both benzodiazepine and opioid prescriptions included: female sex, a visit for chronic care, receipt of six or more concomitantly prescribed medications, and clinical diagnoses of anxiety and pain (p < .01 for all). Conclusion The coprescribing rate of benzodiazepines and opioids increased monotonically over time in outpatient care settings. Because couse of benzodiazepines and opioids is associated with medication burdens and potential harms, future research is needed to address medication safety in these vulnerable populations.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document