McKenry took into account mental health at the start of the study, as well as age, education, number of children in the household and other factors known to affect mental health. Still, marriage alone had a significant effect. It's a needed reminder that while all marriages aren't healthy ones, getting married is a healthy decision. The Generation Xers who saw their parents divorce should realize marriage still can be a good way to go. Los Angeles psychologist Constance Ahrons, author of The Good Divorce , agrees.
People overall are more mentally healthy in marriage than out of it.
Also, such a large study can't capture specific groups very well, Ahrons says, and so may mislead in its generality.