Marital Status Differences in Social Isolation in Later Life
2024

Marital Status Differences in Social Isolation in Later Life

Sample size: 7077 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Li Lydia, McLaughlin Sara

Primary Institution: University of Michigan

Hypothesis

How does social isolation differ by marital status and vary by gender?

Conclusion

The study found that divorced and never-married men are at the highest risk of social isolation.

Supporting Evidence

  • The risk of social isolation increases from coupled to never married.
  • Statistically significant differences were found between all marital statuses except divorced and unmarried.
  • The probability of social isolation is higher in men than in women across all marital statuses.

Takeaway

This study shows that being single or divorced can make older men feel more alone than those who are married.

Methodology

The study used multilevel logistic regression on data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study.

Participant Demographics

Respondents aged 65 and older, including various marital statuses.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.02

Statistical Significance

p=0.02

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.0104

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