Partnership Trajectories, Social Connections, and Later-Life Health

• In Event: Social Connections and Health

Abstract

Partnership histories unfold across adulthood and shape health and social connections in later life, yet most research relies on static marital-status categories and gives limited attention to the mechanisms that link partnership histories to later outcomes. Drawing on the life course perspective and social integration theory, this study examines how detailed partnership trajectories are linked to later-life health and social connections. Using data from the Health and Retirement Study (2010–2022), we assess associations between trajectories of partnership stability, repeated disruptions, and long-term nonmarriage and four health and well-being outcomes: depressive symptoms, loneliness, life satisfaction, and cognitive limitations, as well as indicators of social connections (i.e., number of close family and friend ties, contact frequency with family members and friends, and social participation). Preliminary analyses show clear differences in health and social connections across partnership trajectories. Continuously married adults report the most favorable psychological well-being and modest advantages in cognition, while long-term unmarried adults and those with multiple disruptions show less favorable outcomes. Social connections also vary by partnership trajectory, with stable unions tied to a greater number of close family ties and more frequent family contact and unmarried adults often maintaining more frequent friend contact. These findings underscore the value of a life course approach to partnership biographies and their health and social effects.

Authors

• Zhe Zhang, Vanderbilt University

• Lijun Song, Vanderbilt University