The Association Between Marital Status and Psychological Well-being in Norway

This study uses a Norwegian nationally representative survey to examine whether cohabitants exhibit lower levels of psychological well-being than their married counterparts in a context where cohabitation is claimed to be largely indistinguishable from marriage. Six indicators of mental health are considered, and all adult ages and marital statuses are included. Overall partnered living (married or cohabiting) is associated with higher psychological well-being than being single. Single living subsequent to a divorce is experienced as particularly negative. Nevertheless, when compared with married people, cohabitants who have never married and divorced cohabitants are more likely to report a problem with alcohol, and this also holds for those who have dependent children. In addition, divorced cohabitants are more likely to report a history of depression than the married.