A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Toronto has uncovered intriguing gender differences in how marriage affects optimal aging. The research, which followed over 7,000 middle-aged and older Canadians for approximately three years, provides new insights into the relationship between marital status and successful aging.
Key Findings
- Married men, or those who married during the study, were twice as likely to age optimally compared to their never-married counterparts.
- Among women, those who had never married were twice as likely to age optimally compared to those who became widowed or divorced during the study.
- Married women showed no significant difference in optimal aging compared to never-married women.
The study defined optimal aging as freedom from serious physical, cognitive, mental, or emotional conditions that impede daily activities, coupled with high levels of self-reported happiness and good physical and mental health.
Social Connections and Lifestyle Factors
The research also highlighted the importance of social connections and lifestyle choices in promoting optimal aging:
- Regular contact with relatives, friends, and neighbors was associated with better aging outcomes.
- Maintaining a healthy body weight, being physically active, avoiding insomnia, and not smoking were crucial factors in maintaining optimal health in later life.
Dr. David Burnes, Professor and Canada Research Chair at the University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, suggested that married individuals might encourage each other to adopt or maintain positive health behaviors.
Implications and Future Directions
Mabel Ho, the study’s first author, emphasized the importance of understanding sex-specific differences in aging to better support older adults. The findings could inform the development of programs and services tailored to engage and support older individuals, particularly those who were never married or experienced widowhood, separation, or divorce in later life.
The study, titled “The association between trajectories of marital status and successful aging varies by sex: Findings from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA),” was published in the journal International Social Work. It utilized data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, focusing on 7,641 respondents aged 60 years or older who were in excellent health at the beginning of the study.
As populations continue to age worldwide, this research provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between marital status, gender, and successful aging, paving the way for more targeted interventions and support systems for older adults.
