Negative relationship quality predicts mortality in older adults

Few studies have examined the quality of a marital or similar relationship during the late life years as a predictor of mortality risk (Antonucci et al., 2010; Bulanda et al., 2016; Zhu & Gu, 2010) and these have typically focused on either relationship satisfaction or conflict. We examined both positive and negative aspects of relationship quality with one’s spouse/partner as a predictor of mortality in a sample of older adults in the US (N=1,598) who participated in two waves of a national longitudinal study of social relationships and health. Two items rated on a 3-point scale (hardly ever or never, some of the time, often) were used to measure positive (frequency with which the participant could open up to the partner if s/he needed to talk about worries and could rely on the partner) and negative (frequency with which the participant felt the partner made too many demands on him/her and criticized him/her) aspects of relationship quality. Sociodemographic and health status variables were used as covariates; we also controlled for the quality of other close relationships. Logistic regression showed that negative relationship quality was associated with significantly higher odds for mortality five years later (OR=1.24, CI[95%]=1.06 to 1.45; p < .001), after adjusting for all covariates. Follow-up analyses revealed that criticism from one’s partner, in particular, was linked to a higher mortality risk (OR=1.41, CI[95%]=1.07 to 1.87, p < .001). Couple interventions that focus on decreasing negative interactions between partners, especially criticism, and future research identifying underlying pathways are recommended.