A study by researchers at the University of Arizona suggests that people who divorce have a greater likelihood of smoking and lower amounts of physical activity, which can lead to a wide range of poor health outcomes, including early death.
The study was based on data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, a long-term health study of adults over fifty living in England. The study includes seven sets of data, collected from participants every two years, beginning in 2002. The study found that those who were divorced or separated had a 46% greater risk of dying during the study than their counterparts who were still married.
As to the reasons for this, the findings showed that divorced or separated participants, especially women, reported lower life satisfaction than married participants. Lower life satisfaction, in turn, predicted lower levels of physical activity, which is linked to greater risk for early death. Divorced participants also were more likely than married participants to smoke and, as a result, had poorer lung function, which predicted early mortality.
It’s all pretty depressing, but the study, which is not the first to find that divorced people suffer worse health conditions, does suggest a better way for those whose marriages have broken down (incidentally, the study indicated that quality of life can actually improve for people who have ended relationships that are unhealthy for them).
Of course, a ‘good divorce’ cannot guarantee future good health. However, if the divorce is dealt with quickly and with as little stress as possible, and if you are satisfied with the outcome, then your chances of ‘recovery’ and higher life satisfaction thereafter are surely greatly improved.
Our approach to dealing with divorce and other family law issues is designed to make the process as quick and as stress-free as possible. We provide you with the support you need through the process, evaluate the possibility of resolving matters amicably, and work to ensure the best possible outcomes. For further information about how we can help you get a better divorce, click the Contact link above and fill in the form, or call us on 020 3904 0506.
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Family Law Cafe offers a modern, agile and compassionate approach to family law, giving you a helping hand when you need it and guiding you through the complexities of this difficult and stressful area.
Image: Blood Pressure Monitor, by Medisave UK, licensed under CC BY 2.0.