Marital loss, mental health and the role of perceived social support: findings from six waves of an Australian population based panel study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the impact of transitions out of marriage (separation, widowhood) on the self reported mental health of men and women, and examine whether perceptions of social support play an intervening role.


METHODS
The analysis used six waves (2001-06) of an Australian population based panel study, with an analytical sample of 3017 men and 3225 women. Mental health was measured using the MHI-5 scale scored 0-100 (α=0.97), with a higher score indicating better mental health. Perceptions of social support were measured using a 10-item scale ranging from 10 to 70 (α=0.79), with a higher score indicating higher perceived social support. A linear mixed model for longitudinal data was used, with lags for marital status, mental health and social support.


RESULTS
After adjustment for social characteristics there was a decline in mental health for men who separated (-5.79 points) or widowed (-7.63 points), compared to men who remained married. Similar declines in mental health were found for women who separated (-6.65 points) or became widowed (-9.28 points). The inclusion of perceived social support in the models suggested a small mediation effect of social support for mental health with marital loss. Interactions between perceived social support and marital transitions showed a strong moderating effect for men who became widowed. No significant interactions were found for women.


CONCLUSIONS
Marital loss significantly decreased mental health. Increasing, or maintaining, high levels of social support has the potential to improve widowed men's mental health immediately after the death of their spouse.
University of Queensland Research Fellow, Institute for Social Science Research, GPN3, Building 39a, Room 401, University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia. b.hewitt@uq.edu.au
Belinda
B
Hewitt
Gavin
G
Turrell
Katrina
K
Giskes
D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D004243:Divorce / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017805:Widowhood / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data