Divorce late on in life can improve men’s mental health

Separations after age 50 can bring relief, particularly for men when the relationship has been burdensome, finds new research by the University of Cologne.

The study, conducted by researchers Lisa Jessee and Jeffrey Stokes, examined whether depressive symptoms of a partner prior to separation are associated with changes in one’s own mental health after the separation.

They found that individuals whose partner showed elevated depressive symptoms prior to the separation, reported fewer depressive symptoms after the separation.

This effect is especially pronounced in men, suggesting that they may be more strongly burdened when their female partners suffer from depressive symptoms than vice versa.

“In addition to low relationship quality or conflicts, for example due to infidelity, the health of one partner can place considerable strain on the relationship. Mental health conditions such as depression, in particular, can strongly shape everyday life and place a lasting burden on a partnership.

“It is important to note that this effect occurs mainly in men. Women, who’s male partner experienced depressive symptoms before separation did not experience the same relief after they split,” says Lisa Jessee, DSS researcher at the University of Cologne.

The analysis is based on more than 15 years of data from the US Health and Retirement Study (HRS). The researchers followed cohabiting couples before separation and at least one partner after the separation.

The study was published in the Journal of Marriage and Family.


/ENDS.

For more information, a copy of the study, or to speak with the researcher, please contact Katie from BlueSky Education on [email protected].