Marriage is associated with higher levels of happiness and health

The researchers analyzed data from almost 5,000 adults from the United States and Japan, including more than 3,500 married Americans, about 700 married Japanese, and more than 450 single participants in both countries. The study spanned almost two decades and included assessments of psychological and social factors affecting well-being.

The results were unequivocal: married people were more likely to report good physical health and greater life satisfaction than single people.

Family support turned out to be a key factor: in the United States, it significantly increased the feeling of happiness and health. However, the opposite effect was also found there — family conflicts and pressure reduced the well-being of single people. For Japanese participants, family quarrels and expectations from relatives were recorded just as often, but, unlike Americans, they had almost no effect on their level of happiness.

Scientists suggest that the Japanese develop adaptive strategies: they distance themselves from family pressure or seek emotional support outside of it. In addition, in Japanese culture, expectations of marriage are so familiar that over time they cease to be perceived as a source of stress.

The authors of the study emphasize that the data did not include people living in a civil marriage, although their position could be intermediate: they receive emotional support from a partner, but not always the social status associated with an official marriage.

“Our findings show that family is a dual factor. Support enhances health and happiness, while pressure and conflict can have the opposite effect. At the same time, culture plays an important role: in different countries, the mechanisms of family influence on personal well—being may be opposite,” says Robin Edelstein, Professor of psychology and co-author of the work.