Marital status transitions and psychological distress: Longitudinal evidence from a national population sample

(1999) - S. Hope, B. Rodgers, C. Power

Journal: Psychological Medicine
Link:: https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0033291798008149/type/journal_article
DOI:: 10.1017/S0033291798008149
Links::
Tags:: #paper #NCDS #Family #Transition
Cite Key:: [@hopeMaritalStatusTransitions1999]

Abstract

Background. Evidence is conflicting as to whether the association between marital status and psychological distress is due to selection (i.e. distress influences marital status) or causation (marital status influences distress). We investigate : (i) whether differences in psychological distress pre-date marital transitions ; (ii) whether levels of distress change following transitions ; and (iii) potential mediating and moderating factors. Methods. Data on psychological distress (indicated by the Malaise Inventory) and marital status at ages 23 and 33 were analysed for 4514 men and 4842 women from the 1958 birth cohort. Results. Higher levels of distress were found among the divorced and lower levels among the single and the married. Selection was seen in the lower initial mean symptoms of those who married (1n69 for men ; 2n84 for women) compared to those remaining single (2n41 for men ; 3n26 for women). Causation was indicated by the relative deterioration in distress of those who divorced compared to the continuously married (an increase of 0n31 and 0n03 respectively for men), especially in women (a decrease of 0n18 versus 0n71). This was most evident in women who were downwardly mobile and those with children. Recently separated men and women showed especially large increases in distress. Conclusions. The relationship between marital status and psychological distress involves selection and causation. Findings failed to support ideas of marriage being protective (through social support), or detrimental (through family roles). Divorce increased distress, with both acute and longer-term components moderated by secondary factors such as childcare and declining socioeconomic status.

Notes

“conØicting as to whether the association between marital status and psychological distress is due to selection (i.e. distress inØuences marital status) or causation (marital status inØuences distress).” (Hope et al., 1999, p. 381)

“Higher levels of distress were found among the divorced and lower levels among the single and the married.” (Hope et al., 1999, p. 381)

“The relationship between marital status and psychological distress involves selection and causation. Findings failed to support ideas of marriage being protective (through social support), or detrimental (through family roles). Divorce increased distress, with both acute and longer-term components moderated by secondary factors such as childcare and declining socioeconomic status.” (Hope et al., 1999, p. 381)

“he Malaise Inventory was used to indicate psychological distress at ages 23 and 33. The Inventory is a self-completion 24-item checklist of symptoms of depression, anxiety and psycho-” (Hope et al., 1999, p. 382)

“somatic illness (Rutter et al. 1970) with acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha Ø 0±77 at age 23 and 0±80 at age 33). It is scored by the summation of endorsed items, and totals were imputed for subjects with one or two items missing by determining their relevant percentile point on the population distribution of scores from the items which were responded to.” (Hope et al., 1999, p. 383)