Marital status is a demographic and social characteristic that refers to an individual's current legal relationship with a spouse or partner. This includes categories such as married, divorced, separated, widowed, or never married. Researchers often study marital status to understand its impact on various aspects of an individual's life, such as their health, financial well-being, and overall happiness. Studies may also examine how marital status influences social relationships, career opportunities, and other important life outcomes. Marriage and marital status have a long history of being a focus of research in sociology, psychology, economics, and other disciplines.