Current Marital Status and Epigenetic Clocks Among Older Adults in the United States: Evidence From the Health and Retirement Study.

TitleCurrent Marital Status and Epigenetic Clocks Among Older Adults in the United States: Evidence From the Health and Retirement Study.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2023
AuthorsYu, Y-L
JournalJournal of Aging and Health
ISSN Number1552-6887
Keywordsbiological aging, epigenetic clock, intimate partnerships, Marital Status
Abstract

This study examines how current marital status is associated with epigenetic aging. Data from the 2016 Health and Retirement Study were used to examine marital status differences in the four epigenetic clocks, that is, , , , and ( = 3765). Weighted ordinary least square regression models were estimated separately for men and women. Remarried, cohabiting, divorced/separated and widowed older adults showed greater epigenetic aging than the continuously married similarly among men and women. Distinct sex difference was observed among the never married. While never-married women exhibited greater epigenetic aging than their continuously married counterparts, older men in lifelong singlehood showed comparable epigenetic aging to their continuously married peers. The findings speak to the importance of marital context for epigenetic aging in later life and the biological risk associated with lifelong singlehood for older women in the US.

DOI10.1177/08982643221104928
Citation Key12449
PubMed ID35609241