Married folk are ‘TWICE as happy’ – as scientists pinpoint those most likely to face depression
MARRIED people are almost twice as happy as everyone else, according to a study.
Research found that singletons, divorcees and widows are between 64 and 99 per cent more likely to be depressed.
Scientists reckon wedded couples benefit from the stability, support and extra cash in their relationships.
Just under half of all British adults – 49 per cent – are married and there are a quarter of a million weddings per year in England and Wales.
Depression is one of the most common mental health issues and as many as one in 10 of us will suffer at some point.
Experts at Harvard University in the USA studied data from 107,000 people in seven countries, including the UK, to see the effect of marriage on happiness.
They found that unmarried people were 86 per cent more likely to feel depressed than married ones.
A widowed person’s risk was 64 per cent higher than a married person’s, while a single person’s was 79 per cent and a divorcee’s was 99 per cent.
Men and more highly educated people were more likely to be miserable.
Writing in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, study author Dr Cuicui Wang said: “The health benefits of marriage may include enhanced access to economic resources, the exchange of social support and the positive influence of spouses on each other’s mental well-being.
“Our study revealed that single or separated males also exhibited a higher risk of depressive symptoms.
“One potential explanation for this is that females tend to have larger and stronger social support networks than males.”
The research adds to a range of health benefits that have been linked to marriage.
Other studies suggest matrimony reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes, speeds up surgery recovery and cancer diagnosis, and helps us to live longer.
Help for mental health
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support.
The following are free to contact and confidential:
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123, jo@samartiands.org.uk
- CALM (the leading movement against suicide in men) www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Papyrus (prevention of young suicide) www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Shout (for support of all mental health) www.giveusashout.org/get-help/, text 85258 to start a conversation
Mind, www.mind.org, provide information about types of mental health problems and where to get help for them. Email info@mind.org.uk or call the infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary).
YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline on 0808 802 5544 for parents or carers worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. The website has a chat option too.
Rethink Mental Illness, www.rethink.org, gives advice and information service offers practical advice on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, and carers rights. Use its website or call 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate).
Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk, is the a mental health initiative spearheaded by The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales.