Does Being Married Protect Against Dementia? A New Study Challenges Original Findings ...Saudi Arabia

Many believe that marriage contributes to a healthier and longer life, assuming that committed spouses offer unique social, psychological and economic benefits rarely found elsewhere. 

For a time, these health benefits extended to cognitive health. In 2017, research found marriage may protect against dementia, likely from constant social interaction building your cognitive reserve—the mental resilience for the brain to continue functioning despite damage or injury. Then, another study tracking over 15,000 people from 2000 to 2014 found unmarried individuals had significantly higher odds of developing dementia than their married counterparts. 

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Does Being Married Protect Against Dementia?

Don't go running to the altar just yet—a new study is now challenging those assumptions. Published in Alzheimer's & Dementia, this research found that older adults who were unmarried actually had a lower risk of cognitive decline and dementia than their married counterparts. Surprisingly, this was true for both men and women.

Using data from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center, researchers tracked the cognitive health of 24,107 dementia-free adults over time. The participants—who had an average age of 71—represented a range of relationship statuses, including never married, separated or divorced, widowed and married or living with a partner. Over the course of 18 years, the researchers monitored their cognitive function through routine neuropsychological testing and clinical exams.

Related: Speed of Speech Linked to Early Cognitive Decline

People who were widowed, divorced or never-married had about a 50% lower dementia risk than their married counterparts. Specifically, unmarried older adults were at a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease and Lewy Body dementia and unmarried people were at a lower risk of mild cognitive impairment progressing to dementia.

Why might single life be better for the brain? According to the researchers, it may come down to social dynamics. Married people often have smaller social networks and may engage in lower-quality interactions, while unmarried adults are more likely to maintain broader social circles, including friends and neighbors. They may also face fewer day-to-day stressors, such as childcare and managing household finances for large families.

Related: Doing This for Just 5 Minutes a Day Can Lower Your Dementia Risk by 41%

Socialization plays a crucial role in cognitive health—it helps lower stress levels and keeps the brain stimulated. Spending time with others also provides a natural workout for cognitive skills like language, memory, critical thinking and problem-solving.

That said, being married doesn't mean you're going to get dementia. In fact, the researchers noted that married people may receive diagnoses more frequently simply because they have partners who notice and report cognitive changes. Plus, research has shown that a happy, high-quality marriage can offer cognitive and overall health benefits. However, chronic stress from an unhappy relationship has been linked to poorer health outcomes and even a shorter lifespan—so if you're miserable in your marriage, you may want to assess your options with an attorney, if for no other reason than to protect your brain.

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