Does marriage protect older people from distress? The role of equity and recency of bereavement.
The association between marital status and distress was examined in a largely neglected group, namely older people (65 and older; N = 1,649). In this 2-wave study, married persons were less distressed than single persons, but perceived equity within the marriage and recency of bereavement qualified these findings. Married persons who felt inequitably treated were more distressed than persons who had always been single. Married persons reported less distress than recently (= 2 years ago) widowed persons, but only equitably treated married persons reported less distress than persons widowed for more than 2 years. Increased distress between the 2 waves occurred in recently widowed persons, and there was a decrease in distress in persons who were widowed shortly before the 1st wave. No gender effects were found.
Hagedoorn
Mariët
M
Department of Public Health and Health Psychology, Northern Centre for Healthcare Research, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands. m.hagedoorn@med.umcg.nl
Van Yperen
Nico W
NW
Coyne
James C
JC
van Jaarsveld
Cornelia H M
CH
Ranchor
Adelita V
AV
van Sonderen
Eric
E
Sanderman
Robbert
R
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001601:Bereavement; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012847:Single Person / Q000523:psychology; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D017805:Widowhood / Q000523:psychology*