Mental Health Care Use Among Recently Cohabiting and Newlywed Couples: An Application of the Social Control Theory

Abstract

Drawing on health-related social control theory, we examine how young partners influence each other's mental health care use. We use the data of a sample of newlywed and recently cohabiting heterosexual couples (N = 798) of the survey “Relationships in Flanders.” Logistic regression analyses are performed, stratifying all analyses by gender. Results reveal that married men are less likely to use health care than cohabiting men. No effect of parenthood is shown. Women consume less mental health care the longer they live together with their male partner, and when their partner has not contacted a health care provider. Hence, the results show limited support for a social learning process.

Keywords:

• mental health care
• mental health
• intimate relationships

Notes

¹The small differences in equivalent household income are due to divergent reports from the couple about household income. The small differences in the number of parents in the sample of men and the sample of women are most likely the consequence of the presence of children from a former relationship.