Marriage Ties to 3 Health Benefits, With 1 Catch on Relationship Quality

3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Jun 2

Three health gains stand out in research on marriage: lower cancer risk, better mental health and broader resilience tied to close social support.
A 2026 study across 12 states linked marriage to lower cancer risk, while experts said spouses often reinforce healthier habits, preventive care and stress buffering.
That advantage is not automatic: stressful or conflict-heavy marriages can raise health risks, undercutting the benefits associated with partnership.
The broader takeaway is that supportive relationships—romantic, platonic or familial—help well-being, but marriage appears to offer added benefits when the relationship is healthy.

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