Overview

• The study, published in The Gerontologist, was conducted by the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research and involved over 4,656 married or cohabiting couples aged 50 and older.
• Researchers found that couples with concordant drinking habits, where both partners consume alcohol, have a higher likelihood of living longer compared to those with discordant drinking habits or who abstain altogether.
• Shared drinking patterns among couples are associated with better marital outcomes, including less conflict and longer marriages, suggesting a link between relationship quality and longevity.
• The findings suggest that compatibility in lifestyle choices, such as alcohol consumption, may reflect broader aspects of relationship satisfaction and intimacy.
• Future research aims to explore the daily interpersonal processes and the implications of couple drinking patterns for marital quality and physical health outcomes.