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Erschienen in: International Journal of Public Health 3/2016

05.01.2016 | Original Article

Marital breakup in later adulthood and self-rated health: a cross-sectional survey in Switzerland

verfasst von: Bina Knöpfli, Stéphane Cullati, Delphine S. Courvoisier, Claudine Burton-Jeangros, Pasqualina Perrig-Chiello

Erschienen in: International Journal of Public Health | Ausgabe 3/2016

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Abstract

Objectives

This research examines the impact of relationship status on self-rated health (SRH) by taking into account intrapersonal and social resources.

Methods

Data stem from a Swiss-based survey of 1355 participants aged 40–65 years. Three groups are compared: continuously married (n = 399), single divorcees (n = 532) and repartnered divorcees (n = 424). Linear regression models are used to examine the predictive role of relationship status on SRH and to investigate the moderating role of intrapersonal and social resources on SRH.

Results

Single divorcees show the lowest SRH scores, whereas their repartnered counterparts reported scores comparable to the continuously married—even after controlling for socio-demographic and economic variables. Although single divorcees reported higher levels of loneliness and agreeableness in addition to lower levels of resilience when compared with the other groups, none of these variables had a significant moderation effect on SRH.

Conclusions

Our results underscore the positive effect of relationship status on SRH, and contribute new insights on the impact of later-life divorce. Given the growing number of divorcees, related public health challenges are likely to increase.
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Metadaten
Titel
Marital breakup in later adulthood and self-rated health: a cross-sectional survey in Switzerland
verfasst von
Bina Knöpfli
Stéphane Cullati
Delphine S. Courvoisier
Claudine Burton-Jeangros
Pasqualina Perrig-Chiello
Publikationsdatum
05.01.2016
Verlag
Springer International Publishing
Erschienen in
International Journal of Public Health / Ausgabe 3/2016
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Elektronische ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-015-0776-6

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