Using longitudinal data from Wave 9 (2018/19) and two COVID-19 sub-studies of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (N = 4994), we examined how partnership status and relationship quality in the early months of the pandemic (June/July 2020) related to depression, anxiety, and life satisfaction (November/December 2020) among older people. Associations were analyzed using logistic regression models while controlling for socioeconomic and demographic factors as well as pre-pandemic mental health. We found that respondents in poor-quality partnerships reported higher depression (OR = 2.79, 95% CI = 2.07-3.76), anxiety (OR = 2.62, 95% CI = 1.74-3.94), and low life satisfaction (OR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.67-2.86) than those in fair partnerships. Results also indicate that better partnership quality was associated with better mental health, while being in a poor partnership was as detrimental to mental health as not having a cohabiting partner. Relationship quality is important for mental health, particularly when policies restricting contact and mobility may exacerbate relational issues.

Partnership Quality and Mental Health Among Older Adults in England Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

Sironi, M;
2025

Abstract

Using longitudinal data from Wave 9 (2018/19) and two COVID-19 sub-studies of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (N = 4994), we examined how partnership status and relationship quality in the early months of the pandemic (June/July 2020) related to depression, anxiety, and life satisfaction (November/December 2020) among older people. Associations were analyzed using logistic regression models while controlling for socioeconomic and demographic factors as well as pre-pandemic mental health. We found that respondents in poor-quality partnerships reported higher depression (OR = 2.79, 95% CI = 2.07-3.76), anxiety (OR = 2.62, 95% CI = 1.74-3.94), and low life satisfaction (OR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.67-2.86) than those in fair partnerships. Results also indicate that better partnership quality was associated with better mental health, while being in a poor partnership was as detrimental to mental health as not having a cohabiting partner. Relationship quality is important for mental health, particularly when policies restricting contact and mobility may exacerbate relational issues.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11577/3562110
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