Overview
- Entering a new cohabiting relationship was linked to a significant rise in life satisfaction for people over 50.
- For couples who were already living together, marrying later did not provide any additional average boost to well-being.
- Separations in this age group showed no measurable average drop in well-being, pointing to notable resilience and social supports.
- Benefits from new cohabitation were similar for men and women across the studied ages, despite differences in reported outside support.
- The authors note the results reflect North American norms and may differ elsewhere, with findings published in the International Journal of Behavioural Development.