Non-random mating patterns within and across education and mental and somatic health

Fartein Ask Torvik (), Hans Fredrik Sunde, Rosa Cheesman, Nikolai Haahjem Eftedal, Matthew C. Keller, Eivind Ystrom and Espen Moen Eilertsen
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Fartein Ask Torvik: Norwegian Institute of Public Health
Hans Fredrik Sunde: Norwegian Institute of Public Health
Rosa Cheesman: University of Oslo
Nikolai Haahjem Eftedal: University of Oslo
Matthew C. Keller: University of Colorado Boulder
Eivind Ystrom: University of Oslo
Espen Moen Eilertsen: University of Oslo

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-16

Abstract: Abstract Partners resemble each other in health and education, but studies usually examine one trait at a time in established couples. Using data from all Norwegian first-time parents (N = 187,926) between 2016–2020, we analyse grade point average at age 16, educational attainment, and medical records of 10 mental and 10 somatic health conditions measured 10 to 5 years before childbirth. We find stronger partner similarity in mental (median r = 0.14) than in somatic health conditions (median r = 0.04), with ubiquitous cross-trait correlations in mental health (median r = 0.13). High grade point average or education is associated with better partner mental (median r = −0.16) and somatic (median r = −0.08) health. Elevated mental health correlations (median r = 0.25) in established couples indicate convergence. Analyses of siblings and in-laws suggest that health similarity is influenced by indirect assortment based on related traits. Adjusting for grade point average or education reduces partner health correlations by 30–40%. These findings have implications for the distribution of risk factors among children, genetic studies, and intergenerational transmission.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-54966-9

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