Being married is often seen as good for your health. Studies show that married people tend to live longer, have lower chances of depression and heart attacks, and even better chance of beating cancer. But when it comes to brain health, that might not always be true.

A new study published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia has found something surprising: married people may have a higher risk of developing dementia. The research shows that people who are widowed, divorced, or have never been married have about 50% less risk of getting dementia, including types like Alzheimer’s and Lewy body dementia, compared to those who are married.

The connection between marriage and dementia 

Experts point out that married people tend to see doctors more often because a spouse might notice things like memory loss or confusion first. Single, divorced, or widowed people may be in the early stages of dementia but not realize it, and so their diagnosis can come much later if at all. Since dementia symptoms often show up to loved ones before the person experiences them, married folks simply get diagnosed sooner. That means the lower dementia rates seen in unmarried groups might partly be because they’re not being identified, not because they’re safer. As the Florida State University researchers say, their findings challenge the idea that marriage automatically protects your brain.

How the study was conducted

The researchers tracked the health records of over 24,000 older adults for 18 years. They split the group into four categories: married, widowed, divorced, and never married, to see how each fared.

How marriage increases the risk of dementia 

Previous studies have shown that single people may have a higher risk of dementia, but this new study looks at how certain aspects of well-being can improve after major life changes. The researchers found that after divorce, some people experience an increase in happiness, life satisfaction, and social participation, especially after the loss of a partner.

Interestingly, the study also showed that people who have never married are more likely to socialize with friends and neighbours and engage in healthier behaviours compared to those who are married. On the other hand, married individuals tend to have less social interaction and lower-quality relationships within their social networks.

The study suggests that positive well-being and strong social ties could play a protective role against dementia over time.

 

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