One of the longest-running scientific studies of human health shows that good relationships — including healthy marriages — are tied to happy lives, good health, and longevity.
In 1938, scientists began tracking the physical and mental wellbeing of 268 Harvard sophomores. Researchers eventually expanded the study to include more than 1,700 other individuals — including children of the original participants.
One point that the data from the study showed very clearly: Close relationships — including healthy marriages — keep people happy and healthy throughout their lives.
As one of the researchers put it:
“When we gathered together everything we knew about them about at age 50, it wasn’t their middle-age cholesterol levels that predicted how they were going to grow old . . . It was how satisfied they were in their relationships. The people who were the most satisfied in their relationships at age 50 were the healthiest at age 80.”
The Harvard Gazette summarized much of the data in a 2017 article, writing,
The researchers also found that marital satisfaction has a protective effect on people’s mental health. Part of a study found that people who had happy marriages in their 80s reported that their moods didn’t suffer even on the days when they had more physical pain. Those who had unhappy marriages felt both more emotional and physical pain.
Those who kept warm relationships got to live longer and happier, said Waldinger [one of the researchers], and the loners often died earlier. “Loneliness kills,” he said. “It’s as powerful as smoking or alcoholism.”
As the article’s title put it, “Good genes are nice, but joy is better.”
Data like this underscores why it’s important to stand up for healthy marriages and strong communities
As Christians, we understand that God designed people to live in relationship with each other and with Him.
Good relationships and good marriages are a strong predictor for good health. We ought to do what we can to promote good marriages in Arkansas.
