The Impact of Change in Spousal Status on Frailty Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in South Korea

Abstract

Abstract Background This study aimed to examine the impact of marital transitions on the incidence of frailty among older adults in South Korea. Methods Data for this longitudinal study were extracted from the first to seventh wave (2006–2018) of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging, which included 5,133 participants. Frailty was assessed using the Frailty Instrument scale. Marital transition was categorized into four groups (spouse to spouse [SS], spouse to no spouse [SN], no spouse to spouse [NS] and no spouse to no spouse [NN]). Transitions in marital status and their relationship with frailty were investigated using lagged generalized estimation equations. Results The SN group (OR 1.65 CI 1.26 − 2.15) and NN groups (OR 1.64 CI 1.40 − 1.93) had increased likelihood of frailty than the SS group. Furthermore, males in the NN group (OR 2.10 CI 1.53 − 2.88) had the highest odds of frailty among all groups, whereas females in the SN group (OR 1.58 CI 1.17 − 2.14) had higher odds of frailty than those in other groups. Conclusion Spousal status may affect frailty among middle-aged and older adults in South Korea. The likelihood of frailty increased for those who lived alone or had been divorced or widowed. Single/unmarried men had a higher likelihood of frailty than widowed or divorced men, while widowed or divorced women had a higher likelihood of frailty than unmarried women.Spousal status is a potential factor that influences frailty, which can be affected differently by sex.