Couples over 60 in the U.K. would be wise to consider the “Living apart together” arrangement, based on new research from Lancaster University and University College London.
Out of all heterosexual couples of all ages in the U.S., a large number lives in separate households while remaining in a steady romantic relationship with each other (LAT).
Research suggests that in the UK, around 4% of people over 60 are in a Living Apart Together (LAT) arrangement, which is roughly equivalent to the percentage in countries like the US, the Netherlands, and Canada. When seniors in the over 60 age group form new relationships, Living Apart Together arrangements are by far the most common choice.
Single women over 60 are about 10 times more likely to be in a living-apart-together (LAT) relationship than in a married or cohabiting partnership, and it is roughly 10 times more likely than for men to be in a LAT relationship and nearly 20 times more likely than to be in a cohabiting one.
It’s found in a study that adults over 60 who live in separate households are often content with their living arrangements and still maintain a close, romantic relationship, which is beneficial to their mental well-being.
The common assumption was that LAT arrangements are more popular among young people, while older individuals tend to opt for more traditional relationship styles, like marriage or living together. However, this study sheds new light on intimate relationships among older adults.
Living apart together—intimate partners living in separate homes—is a crucial kind of partnership for older adults. Even though the good effects of marriage and living together on mental health are well known, this is the first nationwide study of its kind to look into how living apart together affects the mental health of older adults.
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The study, co-authored by Professor Yang Hu of Lancaster University and Associate Professor Rory Coulter of UCL, relies on data from the United Kingdom Household Longitudinal Study and examines changes over the course of a decade from 2011 to 2021 to 2023.
The researchers used two well-established sets of mental health measures (GHQ and SF12) that assess both negative mental distress (such as feeling lonely, sad, depressed or downhearted) and positive mental well-being (such as feeling energetic, useful and able to cope with problems) in older adults.
Compared to single individuals over 60, older adults who are living apart together (LAT) experience less mental distress and better mental well-being. The mental health benefits associated with LAT are similar to those associated with marriage and cohabitation.
When considering changes in relationships, moving to a living-aps-apart (“Living Apart Together”) style is associated with a relatively smaller improvement in mental health compared to moving into marriage or cohabitation.
According to the study, those transitioning out of a marriage or cohabitation experience a decline in mental health. However, those moving out of a non-marital cohabiting living arrangement (LAT) see a relatively smaller impact on their mental health compared to those ending marriage or cohabitation.
The data suggests that low-activity treatment (LAT) appears to provide a middle ground for older adults looking to form a relationship: a relatively modest improvement in mental health, but with significantly reduced risk exposure.
According to the study, older adults often opt for LAT as a long-term arrangement partly because it lets them sidestep “decoupling,” or making complex decisions like moving out, dividing property, and going through a divorce. This is especially the case because many older adults often have complicated family relationships and responsibilities to manage in their later years.
Another study suggests that being in a LAT (living apart together) relationship provides an equal opportunity for older women and men to experience improved mental health, which is different from marriage or cohabitation. While previous studies found that marriage and cohabitation generally give men a greater mental health benefit than women, this new study shows that older women and men gain equal mental health benefits from a LAT arrangement.
When we think about intimate partnerships, we typically focus on couples who share the same living space,” says Professor Coulter, “but our research highlights the intricate life situations that come with aging and the significance of intimate relationships that cross beyond household boundaries.
According to Professor Hu, “For a long time, societies and governments have considered strong households essential for individuals’ well-being. However, our research shows that there’s more to it than that.”
It’s time we acknowledge the significant role that often-overlooked intimate relationships outside of the home play in helping maintain the well-being of older adults.
DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbae192
Provided by Lancaster University
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