A recent study from Japan has indicated that men who choose to live alone or who marry and then divorce are at a higher risk of dying earlier than those who are married, due to a greater susceptibility to dangerous underlying health conditions and often impulsive behavior.
Over the past 15 years, a team of researchers from the National Cancer Center in Japan has monitored the health records of more than half a million individuals, both men and women, aged 50 in various Asian countries.
A happy marriage not only provides mental benefits but actually helps men extend their lifespan – (Illustrative image: Independent)
They discovered that being married is associated with a 15% reduction in the risk of death from all causes compared to those who are single.
Individuals in long-term marriages also have a 20% lower risk of death from accidents, injuries, and heart disease compared to those who are single or unmarried.
Men benefit the most from marriage.
Previous studies have also shown that men engage in fewer risky behaviors, have fewer accidents, and consume less alcohol and drugs when married, although those studies focused on European populations.
In this new study, researchers from the National Cancer Center in Japan relied on records of Asian individuals and stated that “the protective effect” of marriage on the lives of Asian men is very significant.
86.4% of the 623,140 records in the study were from married individuals. The remaining group included singles, separated, divorced, or widowed individuals. A total of 123,264 deaths were recorded over the 15 years of research, primarily from cancer (41,362), cerebrovascular diseases (14,563), and respiratory diseases (13,583).
The results published in the JAMA Network Open show that unmarried individuals have a 12% higher risk of death from cerebrovascular diseases, including strokes and aneurysms, compared to those who are married. The mortality rate from coronary heart disease is over 20% higher. Unmarried or separated individuals also have a 17% higher risk of death from circulatory system diseases, such as heart attacks, heart disease, and heart failure.
They face a 19% higher risk of death from external causes, such as accidents or injuries. The risk of respiratory diseases like lung disease and asthma also increases by 14%, and the risk of cancer-related death is 6% higher.
Furthermore, the study indicates that even individuals with diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure are more likely to live longer if they are married.
Researchers note that marriages in Asia have “unique characteristics,” including a higher likelihood of couples living with extended families. The “protective effect” of marriage on men’s lives may be attributed to having a spouse who regularly encourages the husband to seek medical help, adhere to treatment, and reduce unhealthy lifestyles.
For example, wives often advise their husbands to quit smoking, reduce alcohol consumption, and drive more cautiously. Unmarried men are more likely to engage in excessive drinking, unhealthy eating, and riskier behaviors.
The rate of women experiencing less of the “protective effect” of marriage compared to men, according to researchers, may be due to gender inequality, which is quite common in Asian families. Women often take on caregiving roles within the household and face a greater burden of childcare. Unmarried women are more likely to have better jobs, thus earning more money and enjoying better health.
