Happiness of spouse related to good health, survey finds.
Research studies have found that mental well-being -- feeling happy and satisfied -- is closely linked to good physical health. But a new study published in Health Psychology suggests that physical health is also linked to the happiness of one's husband or wife. Researchers used data from a survey of 1,981 heterosexual couples, a nationwide sample of Americans older than 50 whose happiness had been assessed periodically since 1992 using well-validated scales. They also completed regular questionnaires on physical health. A person's good health was independently associated with the happiness of the spouse. Consistently, people with an unhappy partner had more physical impairments, engaged in less exercise and rated their overall health worse than those who had a happy partner. The lead author, Dr. William J. Chopik, an assistant professor of psychology at Michigan State University, said that a happy spouse provided social support and encouraged subjects to eat a healthful diet and to get exercise, all of which contribute to good health. "This speaks to the power of our close relationships," Chopik continued. "We've known for a long time that when we surround ourselves with happy people, we're happier. "But now we know that it not only makes us happier, but healthier as well.
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