Background: Delayed marriage is an increasing global trend influenced by shifting social, economic, and cultural norms. While often viewed as a personal or societal choice, delayed marriage has significant implications for health across multiple biological and psychosocial systems.
Objectives: This review synthesizes current evidence on the multisystem health consequences of delayed marriage, emphasizing gender-specific risks in cardiovascular, metabolic, reproductive, neuroendocrine, and psychosocial domains. It also explores socioeconomic and cultural moderators shaping these outcomes.
Materials and Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across major databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science using keywords related to delayed marriage, health outcomes, and gender differences. Relevant studies were selected based on predefined inclusion criteria, and findings were synthesized qualitatively and quantitatively.
Results: Delayed marriage is associated with increased risks of cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, reproductive health complications, neuroendocrine dysregulation, and adverse psychosocial outcomes. Gender differences are pronounced: women experience greater reproductive and psychosocial stress-related risks, whereas men show distinct neuroendocrine changes and lower healthcare utilization. Socioeconomic status, urbanization, cultural norms, and healthcare access significantly modulate these effects.
Conclusions: Delayed marriage exerts complex, multisystemic health effects that are gender- and context-dependent. Holistic, gender-sensitive public health strategies that address biological, psychological, and social dimensions are essential to mitigate adverse outcomes. Further longitudinal and cross-cultural research is needed to inform culturally appropriate interventions.
Keywords: Delayed marriage, Gender differences, Cardiovascular health, Metabolic syndrome, Reproductive health, Neuroendocrine system, Psychosocial outcomes, Socioeconomic factors, Cultural norms, Public health.
