This researcher studies data from the Midlife in the United States study and finds that across marital status groups married adults reported the highest proportion of individuals with flourishing mental/emotional health (19.6%). Married adults as a group also had the lowest proportion of individuals experiencing depression (8.1%) and tied for the lowest proportion of individuals with languishing mental/emotional health (tied with widows at 3.6%). Individuals with languishing mental/emotional health ran significantly higher risks for episodes of severe depression, lost work days due to health concerns, and limited functioning in daily activities.
Mental health continuum: From languishing to flourishing in life. Journal of Health and Social Behavior 43 (2): 207-22.
