Well-being of men and women of different marital status: Russia in the international context

Abstract

Presented are the results of foreign research devoted to «his and her marriages» in different countries. It is concluded that, in developed countries at the century, the differences in the psychological and physical well-being of men and women of different married status had decreased significantly in comparison to the second halfof the 20th century, when the classic book of Jessie Bernard «The future of marriage» was published. This is in no small part due to the economic and legal liberation of women. At the same time the well-being of men and women in marriage differs in various countries, ethnic/racial and professional groups. This article deals with empirical data concerning similarities/differences in the indicators of psychological well-being and lifestyles of parents of underage children, men and women ofvarious marital, professional, age and religious groups in Russia. Data from the Russia Longitudinal Monitoring Survey (RLMS-NRI-HSE, representative sample for the year 2016), Comprehensive monitoring of living conditions (GKS RF, KOUZH-2016) and Statistical Survey of Income and Participation in Social Programs (GKS RF, VNDN-2012, 2016) have been used. Confirmed is the hypothesis on the advantages of married status (including remarriage) in terms of the well-being of parents, men and, to a lesser extent, women in Russia. Determined are the differences in lifestyle and the psychological well-being of men and women of varying marital status among certain professional groups and creeds. Indicated are certain directions for further research in the field of marriage.