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Whether heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual, if you like it then you really should put a ring on it. With the rise in same-sex marriage legalization across the nation, it’s important to explore how the newfound benefits of matrimony are affecting people’s health. A new study published in the American Journal of Public Health did just that – discovering a link between marriage and improved mental health among homosexuals and bisexuals [1].

The Study

Researchers surveyed 36,774 people from 18 to 70 years old who were in serious relationships. Of these participants, 1,166 were gay, lesbian, or bisexual. The questionnaire aimed to address issues related to health and wellbeing, asking about psychological distress and overall health along with legal relationship status, education, and employment status. The results? People in a legally recognized marriage —regardless of sexual orientation — were significantly less stressed than people who hadn’t tied the knot. Across the entire sample, married heterosexuals reported the least amount of psychological distress. Married homosexuals and bisexuals reported better mental health than unmarried LGBT individuals, who reported the highest psychological distress of everyone surveyed.

Why It Matters

Studies have shown the LGBT population generally experiences more psychological distress than heterosexuals, which is likely explained by the discrimination and lack of rights associated with this minority group [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]. This study provides more evidence pointing to the health benefits of marriage for everyone, which could be used to urge people in power to make marriage attainable for anyone. We also can’t overlook that marriage can include access to health care plans that may lead to better physical health as well [7].

Can We Trust It?

The survey’s sample is pretty unbalanced: Most of the participants were heterosexual, while only a small slice identified as homosexual or bisexual. Moreover, self-reported surveys always leave room for bias, especially when it comes to measuring a person’s psychological distress. That being said, the numbers probably don’t lie. Considering that other studies have associated heterosexual marriages with lower stress levels, it isn’t so shocking that the same might be true for homosexual and bisexual couples, too [8]. (A theory the study researchers also pointed out.) And this study’s findings are backed up by another recent study of older gay men: Those who were married were less stressed [9]. No matter your sexual identification, this much is probably true: Love the one you’re with, and maybe even tie the knot. The benefits could be endless.

Do you think marriage reduces stress across the board? Let us know in the comments below or tweet the author @lschwech.