Divorce and Health

Abstract

This paper reviews what is known about the association between marital dissolution and health outcomes in adults. Two of the major empirical findings in the literature-that most people do well following marital separation and that this life event increases risk for poor outcomes-appear to be in contrast. This paper provides an individual differences framework for reconciling these competing perspectives and suggests that the bulk of the risk for poor outcomes following marital dissolution is carried by a minority of people. Research focusing on at-risk populations is beginning to shed light on mechanisms of action, the processes that explain why and how marital separation and divorce are associated with ill health. The paper outlines a series of future directions that go beyond individual differences to study these mechanisms.

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