Current Marital Status and Epigenetic Clocks Among Older Adults in the United States: Evidence From the Health and Retirement Study

Abstract

Objectives: This study examines how current marital status is associated with epigenetic aging. Methods: Data from the 2016 Health and Retirement Study were used to examine marital status differences in the four epigenetic clocks, that is, GrimAge, DunedinPoAm, PhenoAge, and Zhang ( N = 3765). Weighted ordinary least square regression models were estimated separately for men and women. Results: Remarried, cohabiting, divorced/separated and widowed older adults showed greater epigenetic aging than the continuously married similarly among men and women. Distinct sex difference was observed among the never married. While never-married women exhibited greater epigenetic aging than their continuously married counterparts, older men in lifelong singlehood showed comparable epigenetic aging to their continuously married peers. Discussion: The findings speak to the importance of marital context for epigenetic aging in later life and the biological risk associated with lifelong singlehood for older women in the US.