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Non-random Mating and Convergence Over Time for Mental Health, Life Satisfaction, and Personality: The Nord-Trøndelag Health Study

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Abstract

Earlier studies have shown evidence for various sources of observed spousal similarity regarding different traits and characteristics. We explored the relative contribution of non-random mating and convergence to spouse similarity with respect to global mental health, life satisfaction, optimism, and type A personality. We used population-based data collected for the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (1984–1986) and prospective registry information about when and with whom people entered into marriage/cohabitation between 1970 and 2000 for 19,599 married/cohabitating couples and 1,551 future couples that entered into marriage/cohabitation during the 16 years after data collection. Couples were categorized by interval between data collection and entry into marriage/cohabitation. Age-adjusted polychoric correlations calculated for each group were used as the dependent variables in non-linear, segmented regression analysis, with time since or until marriage/cohabitation as the independent variable. Initial correlations between partners-to-be were low to moderate, typically around one-half of the values estimated in existing couples, indicating both non-random mating and early convergence. There appeared to be moderate divergence during the first 20 years of marriage/cohabitation and moderate convergence during the rest of life.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Torbjørn Moum for preparing the initial data files and Håkon Gjessing for valuable statistical advice. The Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT) is a collaboration between the HUNT Research Centre (Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology NTNU), Nord-Trøndelag County Council, and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, P.O. Box 4404, Nydalen, 0403, Oslo, Norway

    Helga Ask, Mariann Idstad, Bo Engdahl & Kristian Tambs

Authors
  1. Helga Ask
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  2. Mariann Idstad
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  3. Bo Engdahl
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  4. Kristian Tambs
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Correspondence to Helga Ask.

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Edited by Hermine Maes.

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Ask, H., Idstad, M., Engdahl, B. et al. Non-random Mating and Convergence Over Time for Mental Health, Life Satisfaction, and Personality: The Nord-Trøndelag Health Study. Behav Genet 43, 108–119 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10519-012-9578-2

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