| Title | Health and living arrangements among older Americans: does marriage matter? |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2005 |
| Authors | Liang, J, Brown, JW, Krause, NM, Ofstedal, MBeth, Bennett, JM |
| Journal | J Aging Health |
| Volume | 17 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pagination | 305-35 |
| Date Published | 2005 Jun |
| ISSN Number | 0898-2643 |
| Keywords | Adult children, Aged, Demography, Health Status, Humans, Institutionalization, Marital Status, Marriage, Mental Health, Parents, Residence Characteristics, Social Support, Socioeconomic factors, Spouses, United States |
| Abstract | OBJECTIVE: This research examines how physical and mental health influence living arrangements among older Americans and whether these effects differ for married and unmarried persons. METHODS: Data came from the Asset and Health Dynamics Among the Oldest Old study. These two intervals were pooled, and hierarchical multinomial logistic regressions were used to analyze pooled time lags. RESULTS: Functional status and cognitive functioning are significantly associated with living arrangements among those not married. Health conditions exert no significant effects among those married. Given the same functional status, unmarried elders are significantly more likely than their married counterparts to reside with their children or with others. DISCUSSION: These results underscore the critical role of the spouse in influencing living arrangements, providing new evidence supporting the assertion that a spouse is the greatest guarantee of support in old age and the importance of the marriage institution. |
| DOI | 10.1177/0898264305276300 |
| User Guide Notes | |
| Endnote Keywords | Health/Living Conditions/Marriage/Health Physical |
| Endnote ID | 14370 |
| Alternate Journal | J Aging Health |
| Citation Key | 7021 |
| PubMed ID | 15857961 |
| Grant List | U01 AG009740 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States R01 AG154124 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States |
