"Analysis revealed that when people over 50 enter into a new relationship and seal it by moving in together, their life satisfaction increases significantly. 'The transition to living together with a new partner was accompanied by a significant increase in life satisfaction,' psychologist Iris Wahring said. However, they were surprised to find that couples who were already living together and only decided to marry later did not experience a further boost to their wellbeing by saying 'I do'."
"The team also discovered that relationship breakdowns in this age group did not lead to a measurable decline in wellbeing. This suggests older adults have 'remarkable' emotional resilience or use other social resources, like friends and family, to cushion these transitions, they said. Writing in the International Journal of Behavioural Development, the scientists said their results underscore the importance of social bonds in old age and show that new partnerships have a positive effect."
Researchers evaluated long-term data on 2,840 US participants aged 50 to 95, tracking depressive symptoms and life satisfaction. Entering a new relationship and moving in together produced a significant increase in life satisfaction among people over 50. Couples who were already cohabiting and later married did not experience additional wellbeing gains from marriage itself. Relationship breakdowns in this age group did not cause measurable declines in wellbeing. The findings point to strong emotional resilience among older adults and the protective role of other social resources. Social bonds and new partnerships provide important wellbeing benefits in later life.
Read at Mail Online
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