Does Marriage really protect health?

This research talk delivered by Dr. Malgorzata Mikucka highlighted the impact of marriage on an individual s health. She analyzed the dynamics of health associated with the transition to first marriage and remaining in marriage up to 24 years in order to estimate the protective effect of heterosexual marriage on physical, mental, and self-rated health.

This study did not support the strong theoretical claims of marital protection and suggested that marriage exerts a mix of protective and adverse effects on health.