Non-Random Mating and Convergence Over Time for Alcohol Consumption, Smoking, and Exercise: The Nord-Trøndelag Health Study

• Published in: Behavior genetics Vol. 42; no. 3; pp. 354 - 365
• Main Authors: Ask, Helga, Rognmo, Kamilla, Torvik, Fartein Ask, Røysamb, Espen, Tambs, Kristian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.05.2012
• Subjects: Adult; Age Factors; Aged, 80 and over; Alcohol consumption; Alcohol Drinking - epidemiology; Alcohol Drinking - genetics; Alcohol Drinking - psychology; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Clinical Psychology; Cohabitation; Cohort Studies; Convergence; Cross-Sectional Studies; Data Interpretation, Statistical; Exercise; Exercise - physiology; Exercise - psychology; Female; Health; Health Psychology; Humans; Life Style; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Marriage; Mating; Middle Aged; Nonlinear Dynamics; Norway - epidemiology; Original Research; Prospective Studies; Psychology; Public Health; Smoking; Smoking - epidemiology; Smoking - genetics; Smoking - psychology; Spouses; Young Adult; Norway; Assortative mating; Alcohol; Lifestyle; Homogamy; Exercise; Smoking
• ISSN: 0001-8244; 1573-3297
• DOI: 10.1007/s10519-011-9509-7

Spouses tend to have similar lifestyles. We explored the degree to which spouse similarity in alcohol use, smoking, and physical exercise is caused by non-random mating or convergence. We used data collected for the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study from 1984 to 1986 and prospective registry information about when and with whom people entered marriage/cohabitation between 1970 and 2000. Our sample included 19,599 married/cohabitating couples and 1,551 future couples that were to marry/cohabitate in the 14–16 years following data collection. All couples were grouped according to the duration between data collection and entering into marriage/cohabitation. Age-adjusted polychoric spouse correlations were used as the dependent variables in non-linear segmented regression analysis; the independent variable was time. The results indicate that spouse concordance in lifestyle is due to both non-random mating and convergence. Non-random mating appeared to be strongest for smoking. Convergence in alcohol use and smoking was evident during the period prior to marriage/cohabitation, whereas convergence in exercise was evident throughout life. Reduced spouse similarity in smoking with relationship duration may reflect secular trends.