What's happened
New research indicates that unmarried individuals face an 80% higher risk of depression compared to those who are married. The study, involving over 100,000 participants across seven countries, highlights the importance of social support and economic resources in mental health outcomes.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, the research indicates that cohabiting couples experience lower depression rates due to social support and shared resources. Dr. Kefeng Li, a co-author, noted that the study underscores the need for culturally-sensitive interventions for unmarried individuals. Meanwhile, The Independent highlights that the risk of depression is notably higher in divorced or separated individuals, with a 99% increased likelihood. Both sources agree on the importance of relationship quality, with Dr. Veronica Lamarche emphasizing that the benefits of relationships extend beyond marriage to include friendships and family connections.
How we got here
The study published in Nature Human Behaviour analyzed data from over 106,000 individuals across various countries, revealing significant mental health disparities between married and unmarried individuals. Previous research has suggested similar findings, emphasizing the role of relationships in mental well-being.
More on these topics
-
Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania, between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It consists of more than seventeen thousand islands, including Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Sulawesi, and New Guinea. Indonesia i
-
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the northÂwestern coast of the European mainland.
-
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and sharing a land border with North Korea.
-
The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
-
China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.
-
Ireland is an island in the North Atlantic. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel, the Irish Sea, and St George's Channel.
-
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. The WHO Constitution, which establishes the agency's governing structure and principles, states its main objective as "the attainment
-
Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea