The Influence of Sociodemographic Characteristics and Morbidity on the Likelihood of Living Alone Among Older U.S. Adults Who Become Unmarried: A Comparison of Women and Men

ABSTRACT

This study examined gender differences in the associations of sociodemographic variables and morbidity with changes in living arrangements among adults aged 55–74 years old (n = 820) who became unmarried between the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1971–75 and the NHANES I Epidemiologic Follow-up Study 1982–84. Preexisting family constellations (living in two person households at NHANES I compared to living in larger households, and not having children) were important predictors of living alone for both women and men following a change in marital status. Analyses also suggest gender differences in the effects of race, education and income on living alone after becoming unmarried.