So the hypothesized mechanism here is that single people tend to have healthier social lives. Another study that accounts for level of social activity might be needed to untangle this. But this does support the idea that the issue is not marriage per se but the atomized nuclear family we’ve built up as the highest form of human relationship in the West. It seems very possible to build a society that has plenty of marriage but also healthy extra-marital relationships.

I would be curious if there’s also a correlation with car and suburban culture which are strong elements that separate families from outside socialization in our culture, especially for the elderly who may eventually lose the ability to drive.