This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Sandberg, J. G. Articles by Davey, A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Sandberg, J. G. Articles by Davey, A. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

The Impact of Marital Conflict on Health and Health Care Utilization in Older Couples

Brigham Young University, USA, jonathan_sandberg{at}byu.edu

Richard B. Miller

Brigham Young University, USA

James M. Harper

Brigham Young University, USA

Mihaela Robila

Queens College, USA

Adam Davey

Temple University, USA

This study tested the hypothesis that marital distress has a significant effect on health care utilization for older couples. Results from 536 intact couples in long term marriages showed men in dissatisfying marriages are more likely to utilize health care services; women in satisfying marriages are more likely to use health care services. There were no significant partner effects of marital quality on health problems or health care utilization. The association between husbands' marital quality and wives' health care utilization approached significance. Implications for future research and clinical practice, including gender differences, are discussed.

Key Words: health care utilization • marital quality

Journal of Health Psychology, Vol. 14, No. 1, 9-17 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/1359105308097938


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?