How marriage changes you physically and mentally, according to science

Kevin LoriaJun 24, 2018, 19:50 IST

Lowe Llaguno/Shutterstock

Every summer, thousands and thousands of couples tie the knot.

That decision has lasting effects on their health over time.

Researchers have identified a variety of trends that show how getting married changes people. There has historically been an idea that marriage is good for your physical and mental health, perhaps due to the idea that having a supportive partner can make a person healthier. But more recent research has revealed that the relationship between marriage, health, and well-being is more complicated, with both benefits and drawbacks.

Evidence suggests that married men and women have a lower risk for certain types of heart disease than their single counterparts, for example, but married people are also more likely to be overweight.

Of course, these observed trends don't hold true for everyone. Every marriage is different, depending on the individuals involved, their relationship, their plans, lifestyles, and more - without even counting external factors. And there's much less research on the effects of marriage on same-sex couples so far.

But with that in mind, here are some of the ways that marriage tends to affect partners physically and mentally.

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Married people tend to have better overall health than other adults, even after controlling for age, sex, race, education, income, and other factors.

Source: CDC

But a large study published last year found those health benefits were mostly observable in older married adults. Among younger adults, married people essentially saw no overall health benefit compared to their unmarried peers.

Source: Social Science Quarterly

One study found that older married LGBT adults reported better quality of life, with partnered and married adults in the study reporting better health than single adults.

Source: Geronotologist

But married people — especially men — are more likely to be overweight and obese. Both men and women are less likely to get enough exercise after marriage.

Source: CDC, American Journal of Preventative Medicine, Review of Economics of the Household

Married men are more likely to use preventative healthcare, however, getting physicals and recommended cancer screenings.

Source: CDC

Married men and women have a lower risk for certain types of heart disease: peripheral artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and coronary artery disease.

Source: American College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Session

But risk for heart disease may be higher for divorced or widowed individuals.

Source: Journal of Marriage and Family

Married people report better mental health and lower alcohol use, according to a large Canadian public-health survey.

Source: Review of Economics of the Household

One recent study found that in the first year of marriage, men tended to become more conscientious, while women became less neurotic.

Source: Developmental Psychology

But that same study found that women became less open and men became less extroverted in that first year.

Source: Developmental Psychology

But these benefits and drawbacks shouldn't be a reason to get married or not.

Over time, our understanding of how marriage affects people has changed and become more refined. Some researchers think the reason single people's health appears to be better now than it used to when compared to married counterparts is that there's less societal stigma around single lifestyles these days.

But even if marriage is associated with certain health benefits, that alone isn't enough reason to partner up. Maintaining relationships has been shown to be a key part of lasting wellness, but there are many kinds of intimate partnerships.

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How marriage changes you physically and mentally, according to science

Married people tend to have better overall health than other adults, even after controlling for age, sex, race, education, income, and other factors.

But a large study published last year found those health benefits were mostly observable in older married adults. Among younger adults, married people essentially saw no overall health benefit compared to their unmarried peers.

One study found that older married LGBT adults reported better quality of life, with partnered and married adults in the study reporting better health than single adults.

But married people — especially men — are more likely to be overweight and obese. Both men and women are less likely to get enough exercise after marriage.

Married men are more likely to use preventative healthcare, however, getting physicals and recommended cancer screenings.

Married men and women have a lower risk for certain types of heart disease: peripheral artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and coronary artery disease.

But risk for heart disease may be higher for divorced or widowed individuals.

Married people report better mental health and lower alcohol use, according to a large Canadian public-health survey.

One recent study found that in the first year of marriage, men tended to become more conscientious, while women became less neurotic.

But that same study found that women became less open and men became less extroverted in that first year.

But these benefits and drawbacks shouldn't be a reason to get married or not.