Convergence in the physical appearance of spouses

This study attempted to determine whether people who live with each other for a long period of time grow physically similar in their facial features. Photographs of couples when they were first married and 25 years later were judged for physical similarity and for the likelihood that they were married. The results showed that there is indeed an increase in apparent similarity after 25 years of cohabitation. Moreover, increase in resemblance was associated with greater reported marital happiness. Among the explanations of this phenomenon that were examined, one based on a theory of emotional efference emerged as promising. This theory proposes that emotional processes produce vascular changes that are, in part, regulated by facial musculature. The facial muscles are said to act as ligatures on veins and arteries, and they thereby are able to divert blood from, or direct blood to, the brain. An implication of the vascular theory of emotional efference is that habitual use of facial musculature may permanently affect the physical features of the face. The implication holds further that two people who live with each other for a longer period of time, by virtue of repeated empathic mimicry, would grow physically similar in their facial features. Kin resemblance, therefore, may not be simply a matter of common genes but also a matter of prolonged social contact.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/45361/1/11031_2004_Article_BF00992848.pd

Empty nest, cohort, and employment in the well-being of midlife women

Whether the empty-nest experience has positive or negative consequences for women's well-being at midlife may depend on their historical cohort membership and employment status. In this study, it was posited that the empty nest was likely to be a negative experience among the particular cohort of women (Cohort II) who reached adulthood during the period of strong societal emphasis on women's maternal role known as the feminine mystique, would be experienced positively among the earlier cohort (Cohort I) who as young adults were encouraged to enter the labor force during World War II. Analyses of covariance tested the relationships among empty-nest status, cohort membership, and employment status, and three measures of psychological well-being, adjusted for age, education, and marital status. The results of this study show that cohort and employment each have important independent associations with women's well-being at midlife, but that the experience of the empty nest depends on these two factors, especially cohort experiences.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/45589/1/11199_2004_Article_BF00287990.pd

Health Behaviors and Social Roles among Mature Men and Women

This article explores the relationship between gender, social roles, age, education, number of health problems, and health behaviors in mature adults. Data from a national study focus on women and men ages 54 to 64. Analyses indicate that women are more likely to avoid risk-taking health behaviors; in particular, men are more likely to report that they drink alcohol. There were no gender differences in promotive health behaviors or cancer detection behaviors. Further analyses focus on the relationship of two social roles (marital and employment status), demographic variables (gender, age, education), and number of health problems on promotive health behaviors, risk avoidance behaviors, and cancer detection behaviors. Social roles are related to health behaviors as follows: employed women are less likely to report cancer detection behaviors than are unemployed women; married men are more likely to engage in risk avoidance behaviors than are unmarried men. Demographic comparisons indicate that education and to some extent, age, are associated with promotive health behaviors. Men and women with health problems are more likely to engage in cancer detection behaviors. The small sample size, however, suggests caution in the interpretation and generalization of these findings.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/68102/2/10.1177_089826439000200101.pd