Do marital status and living arrangements influence health in Poland?

Wiktoria Wroblewska, Institute of Statistics and Demography Warsaw School of Economics

The aim of this study is to assess whether social determinants, such as family status and living arrangements have any effect on the physical and mental health of women and men in Poland. For example, the study has examined whether being married confers health-protective effects in traditional society during the transition period? How do the family roles (e.g. dependent children at home) shape the marital status and health relationships? Does combination of married life, having children, and a paid job improve or burden health of middle-aged women? Do living arrangements (e.g. living alone) affect health in elderly age groups? The paper analyses data from nationally representative Health Survey 1996. The following health indicators were included in the analyses: self-assessment of health, long-standing illness and emotional well-being. The results obtained for women did not confirm the protective role of conjugal life to women’s health to the extent observed in Western Europe.