Unmarried Older People: Are They Socially Better Off Today? - PubMed (original) (raw)

. 2019 Oct 4;74(8):1463-1473.

doi: 10.1093/geronb/gby120.

Affiliations

PMID: 30312448
DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gby120

Unmarried Older People: Are They Socially Better Off Today?

Theo G van Tilburg et al. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2019.

Abstract

Objectives: Previous studies have shown that unmarried older adults are generally at disadvantage in personal networks and social well-being compared with the married. It can be questioned whether their situation has improved in contemporary society, as among others the stigma of divorce and being never-married has declined. We hypothesize differential developments in networks and well-being according to marital status (married, widowed, divorced, and never-married) across birth cohorts.

Method: Data are from the 1993 and 2013 observations of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam on Dutch people aged 55-69 (N = 2,894) and 70-84 years (N = 2,317). We employ general linear modeling of network size and diversity, received emotional and instrumental support, emotional and social loneliness, and depressive symptoms.

Results: The widowed are better off socially in 2013 than in 1993. Similar to the divorced they have a larger network, and similar to the never-married they receive more emotional support and are less emotional lonely. We find some gender differences in these developments.

Discussion: Societal change has not radically altered networks and well-being of unmarried older people. The widowed seem to benefit most, possibly because they are better able to retain relationships after widowhood.

Keywords: Cohort differences; Gender; Networks; Unmarried; Well-being.

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