Socio-economic correlates of quality of life in single and married urban individuals: a Polish case study

BACKGROUND: One of key current social trends is the increasing number of single people. It has multiple implications as single individuals often live and behave differently than those living in relationships. Marital status and socioeconomic status may also be significant quality of life factors for single persons. The aim of this study is to identify relationships between quality of life and selected indicators of socioeconomic status in single and married respondents from the Wrocław metropolitan area in Poland. METHODS: 4460 respondents took part in the study (1828 single, 2632 married). The study was cross-sectional based on a diagnostic survey. Data was gathered on respondents’ sex, age, education, marital status, occupational status and financial situation as well as their quality of life and perceived health condition. Frequencies (f) and relative frequencies (rf) of categories of dependent and independent variables were determined. The chi-squared test (χ(2)) and odds ratio (OR) statistics were applied. The level of statistical significance was set at α = .05. RESULTS: A stochastic dependence (p ≤ .05) between marital status and perceived health condition and quality of life in the social domain was found among the respondents. Male sex, higher education, being an entrepreneur, college student or white-collar worker, and good financial status were associated with the highest assessments of quality of life and perceived health condition. The directions of quality of life modifications determined by socioeconomic status were similar in single and married urban respondents; however, the strength of these modifications was greater in the latter. CONCLUSIONS: It is recommended to target respondents with public health programs aimed at lifestyle improvement, tailored to the needs of single and married individuals. Public policies directed at improving education and material situation of respondents are also worth considering, as they may be essential for modeling their quality of life. In addition, research on quality of life should be continued, which is particularly relevant in a pandemic situation.