Do Mental Health, BMI, and Appearance affect Marital Satisfaction?

This paper examines the relationship between health and marital satisfaction. Using the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979, ordered logistic regression estimates show that mentalhealth and BMI significantly correlate with marital satisfaction among women. The results indicate a woman’s depression and physical health limitations have a significant impact on her marital satisfaction, whereas a woman’s appearancedoes not. Evidence suggests that the closer to normal mental health, the happier the marriage. On the other hand, changes in BMI do not cause changes in marital satisfaction. This suggests an asymmetric effect of poor mental and physical health and poor physical appearance (a high body weight) on marital satisfaction.