Expert Commentary: Marital Happiness and Mortality in Older Adults

Research shows that social connections and supportive relationships enhance one’s quality of life. However, less is known about older adults who are in unhappy marriages. Does the stress of that strife impact their health and well-being?

Jamila Bookwala, professor of psychology, and Trent Gaugler, associate professor of mathematics, explored that question in a study published in the journal Health Psychology, which was covered in Psychology Today.

Trent Gaugler

Jamila Bookwala

Using data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project, Bookwala and Gaugler found study participants who reported high levels of criticism in their relationship were more likely to have negative health outcomes.

• Read about their research in Psychology Today.