Abstract
The study explores short-term effects of dissolution of union through divorce/separation and widowhood on physical and mental health as well as health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among females and males in Poland. Considering social selection and social causation theories, the study poses following research questions: are there differences in physical and mental health as well as health-related quality of life that are caused by a marital transition compared to remaining married/cohabiting? Do marital status transitions have different effects concerning physical and mental health and health-related quality of life among females and males? Data for the analysis were available for 1073 people (18+) who participate in the COURAGE-Poland population-based study from 2011 (baseline) and 2015–2016 COURAGE-POLFUS (follow-up). Health status was measured by the WHODAS II and the presence of depression based on the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Health-related quality of life was assessed by WHOQOL-AGE scale. The analysis has been conducted using the analysis of variance, multinomial logistic regression and generalized liner mixed model according to the dependent variable. Results do suggest that transition out of marriage weakens mental health although the differences in physical health seemed to not be significant compared to the continuously married/cohabiting. The marital dissolution especially causes a decline in the mental health as well as health-related quality of life of males who transitioned to a widowed life. There has not been observed statistically significant change in terms of healthrelated quality of life between first and second wave of the survey among both widowed and divorced males and females.
Highlights
In the last few decades, the family structure in Western European countries has experienced many changes
Our research explores the short–term effects of marital status change considered as a stressful life event on physical and mental health, as well as healthrelated quality of life (HRQoL)
This longitudinal study examines the relationship existing between marital status transition considered as a stressful life event, physical and mental health, as well as health-related quality of life among Polish females and males based on the first and the second wave of the COURAGE–Poland population survey
Summary
In the last few decades, the family structure in Western European countries has experienced many changes. According to numerous studies, married individuals are shown to have lower rates of chronic illness, physical limitations and mortality, and, in general, better health than non– married people (Pienta et al 2000; Rogers 1995; Williams and Umberson 2004; Williams et al 2010). Those continuously married appear to have better mental health than their unmarried counterparts (Lamb et al 2003; Soons and Kalmijn 2009; Wade and Pevalin 2004; Zella 2017). Being in an intimate relationship is responsible for a better quality of life (Naess et al 2015) because marriage and cohabitation may bring satisfaction in sexual activity, companionship and sharing household resources (Lucas 2008), support and mutual caring, as well as economic benefits (Argyle 1999)
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