Why do married men live longer 1260x542
30 Apr 2010

Why do married men live longer?

2 mins to read
Finding the right partner can bring you a lifetime of happiness. According to online personal trainer Andrew Cate, it may also bring you a longer life.


Marriage and health

If you know a man who couldn’t live without his wife, you might actually be right in a literal sense. Marriage has a wide range of health benefits, with research showing there is a clear link between marriage and longevity, especially for men.

In 2006, the Australian Bureau of Statistics found that married men live longer than life-long single men. Additional Japanese research from 2007 supported this phenomenon, suggesting men who never married had a significantly higher risk of death from all causes compared to married men. This particular study was carefully designed to differentiate between men who were married, divorced, widowed and never married.

Why do married men live longer?

There are a few possible reasons. One may be that married men are less likely to engage in risky behaviour because of the responsibilities of parenthood. In addition, married couples are more likely to nurture and look out for each other's health by promoting good diet and a healthier lifestyle.

The simple act of living with someone can also be good for your health, with the potential for better care in times of emergency or illness. Plus, unmarried men may be less likely to monitor their health and may be more likely to engage in unhealthy habits such as overeating and smoking.

Research has suggested that marriage may benefit your health differently depending on gender. While women are thought to gain more economic resources, married men get more social support and a greater potential to manage stress.

Did you know?

Married men are thought to live longer than those who have been never married because of less risk taking, and the support that a partner brings in both illness, and in maintaining a healthier lifestyle.

How does a bad marriage affect health?

Just as a good marriage is associated with health benefits that can increase your chances of living a long, healthy life, a bad marriage can have negative health consequences. There is growing research to suggest that marital disharmony is a risk factor for illness and disease.

A 2005 study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry found a connection between marital conflict and impaired wound healing. Couples who were classified as highly-hostile had higher levels of proinflammatory substances in their blood, which resulted in slower wound healing compared to low-hostile couples.

According to the researchers, sustained elevated levels of proinflammatory substances have been linked with a wide range of age-related diseases, and may enhance the development of depressive symptoms.

References available on request



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