Researchers found that men who get hitched are more likely to suffer mental health problems than those who simply live with their partners. The opposite is true for women, who do best without a relationship at all.

The study is published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. Researchers at Queen Mary University in London questioned over 4,000 men and women under the age of 65 across Britain.

They found that men and women whose first relationship lasts stand to reap the rewards later in life. They are least likely to suffer mental health problems. A string of failed relationships has a similar effect. However, women appear more vulnerable than men. The study also found that women take longer to recover after a break-up than men.

The researchers found that women can survive quite well without a relationship. Those who had never been in a relationship were much less likely to report having a mental health problem than those who had moved in with a man or got married. However, once in a relationship women appear to do better if they have a ring on their finger.

Women who cohabitated with men were more likely to suffer problems than those who were married. The researchers suggested that this may be because they do not enjoy as many rights as married women. ?The lack of protection of the financial and property rights and hence the security of cohabiting couples when they separate may explain why women who cohabit have poorer mental health than women who marry,? they wrote.

?For women, security is more important,? Paula Hall, a relationship counsellor told. ?Women are the ones who have babies and they have very strong nurturing and protective instincts. That may be one reason why marriage is more important to them?.

?For men, security is less of an issue. Feeling trapped is a bigger problem for them. That may be way they fare better if they cohabit rather than marry.? However, that?s all just a hypotheses. Another study published last year said men and women are happier if they marry.