Abstract
Purpose
There is substantial literature suggesting that the mental health benefits of marriage (compared to being single) are greater
for those in ‘good-quality’ relationships in comparison to those in ‘poor-quality’ relationships. However, little of this
research utilises large population-based surveys. Large surveys in psychiatric epidemiology have focused almost exclusively
on the association between marital status and mental health. The current study explores some of the reasons for this gap in
the literature, and adopts a large, representative community-based sample to investigate whether associations between relationship
status and levels of depression and anxiety are moderated by relationship quality.
for those in ‘good-quality’ relationships in comparison to those in ‘poor-quality’ relationships. However, little of this
research utilises large population-based surveys. Large surveys in psychiatric epidemiology have focused almost exclusively
on the association between marital status and mental health. The current study explores some of the reasons for this gap in
the literature, and adopts a large, representative community-based sample to investigate whether associations between relationship
status and levels of depression and anxiety are moderated by relationship quality.
Methods
Participants were from Wave 3 of the PATH Survey, a longitudinal community survey assessing the health and well-being of residents
of the Canberra region, Australia (n = 3,820). Relationship quality was measured using the 7 item Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS-7), and levels of depression and
anxiety were measured using the Goldberg Scales.
of the Canberra region, Australia (n = 3,820). Relationship quality was measured using the 7 item Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS-7), and levels of depression and
anxiety were measured using the Goldberg Scales.
Results
Both cross-sectional and prospective analyses showed that associations between relationship status and mental health were
moderated by relationship quality for both men and women, such that only good-quality relationships bestowed mental health
benefits over remaining single. For women, being in a poor-quality relationship was associated with greater levels of anxiety
than being single.
moderated by relationship quality for both men and women, such that only good-quality relationships bestowed mental health
benefits over remaining single. For women, being in a poor-quality relationship was associated with greater levels of anxiety
than being single.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s00127-012-0559-9
- Authors
- Liana S. Leach, Psychiatric Epidemiology and Social Issues Unit, Centre for Research on Ageing, Health and Wellbeing, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
- Peter Butterworth, Psychiatric Epidemiology and Social Issues Unit, Centre for Research on Ageing, Health and Wellbeing, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
- Sarah C. Olesen, Psychiatric Epidemiology and Social Issues Unit, Centre for Research on Ageing, Health and Wellbeing, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
- Andrew Mackinnon, ORYGEN Research Centre, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
- Journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
- Online ISSN 1433-9285
- Print ISSN 0933-7954