Does Sexual Orientation Complicate the Relationship Between Marital Status and Health?

• In Event: 2464 - The Implications of Legal Marriage: LGBTQ Individuals and Same-Sex Couples

Abstract

In this study, we examine data from a probability-based sample of adults living in 40 US states for selected years between 2011-2015 to examine how marital status relates to two physical health outcomes, poor-to-fair self-rated health and cardiovascular disease, among men and women who self-identify as heterosexual, gay, lesbian, and bisexual. We present predicted probabilities and pairwise comparisons from logistic regression models before and after adjustment for demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, health behaviors, and depression. Overall, findings reveal some important similarities and differences in the relationships between marital status and health by sexual orientation. First, the health benefits of marriage extend to sexual minorities. Among heterosexuals, adjusted models highlight the healthy status of never married adults. Second, married and unmarried couple adults are more similar in their health status among sexual minorities than among heterosexuals. Third, we document a persistent health disadvantage for bisexuals compared to heterosexuals, particularly among those who are never married or formerly married – and especially women, indicating some elevated health vulnerability among selected sexual minority women. Altogether, these findings add much needed nuance to our understanding of the association between marital status and health in an era of increasing diversity in adult relationships.

Authors

• Alexa Solazzo, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

• Bridget K. Gorman, Rice University

• Justin T. Denney, Washington State University