Spousal support
Spousal support has been studied in 5 papers since 2022: 5 observational studies in people; 2 in the past year. The newest paper, Jan 9, 2026: “The relationship between spousal support and quality of life in postmenopausal women: a cross-sectional study”.
5 papers study it7 findingsUpdated
“Spousal support evidenced positive associations with five psychological well-being outcomes, as well as negative associations with five psychological distress outcomes and loneliness.”
- 5 independent labs in 3 countries
- Funders: National Institute on Aging and 6 more
- Humans5
What did studies of Spousal support find?
4Studies of Spousal support measured 4 outcomes; the most studied are quality of life (1 study), menopause-related complaints (1) and loneliness (1).
Quality of life
upin humans1
1 study
Quality of life
upin humans1
Spousal support improves quality of life in humans.
“Increased support from husbands decreases menopause-related complaints and improves quality of life.”
Humansmenopausefemalesn = 300
Revista da Associacao Medica Brasileira (1992)
Menopause-related complaints
downin humans1
1 study
Menopause-related complaints
downin humans1
Spousal support decreases menopause-related complaints in humans.
“Increased support from husbands decreases menopause-related complaints and improves quality of life.”
Humansmenopausefemalesn = 300
Revista da Associacao Medica Brasileira (1992)
Loneliness
downin humans1
1 study
Loneliness
downin humans1
Spousal support decreases loneliness in humans.
“whereas high levels counteract these negative pathways and foster relational resilience.”
Humansunder adversity from negative life eventsn = 469
Frontiers in psychology
Insomnia symptoms
no changein humans1
1 study
Insomnia symptoms
no changein humans1
Spousal support has no effect on insomnia symptoms in humans.
“Spousal strain-but not support-predicted higher insomnia symptoms 5 years later.”
Humansmarried or cohabitating with a partner5 yearsn = 495
The Social Context of Partnered Older Adults' Insomnia Symptoms
International journal of aging & human development
What is Spousal support linked with?
3Studies link Spousal support with 3 measures, most often psychological distress (1 study), psychological well-being (1) and falls (1).
Psychological distress
downin humans1
1 study
Psychological distress
downin humans1
Spousal support is associated with psychological distress in humans.
“negative associations with five psychological distress outcomes and loneliness.”
Humansn = 7,788
Family process
Psychological well-being
upin humans1
1 study
Psychological well-being
upin humans1
Spousal support is associated with psychological well-being in humans.
“Spousal support evidenced positive associations with five psychological well-being outcomes, as well as negative associations with five psychological distress outcomes and loneliness.”
Humansn = 7,788
Family process
Falls
downin humans1OR 0.909
1 study
Falls
downin humans1OR 0.909
Spousal support lowers the risk of falls in humans (OR = 0.909, 95% CI: 0.841-0.981, p < 0.05).
“spousal support (OR = 0.909, 95% CI: 0.841-0.981, p < 0.05) were protective factors.”
Humanscommunity residents
International journal of environmental research and public health