Divorce could be worse for your health than alcohol

Ex-spouses 44% more likely to die early as they lose physical and moral support

GETTING divorced may increase someone’s risk of an early death more than drinking too much or worrying about money, a study has revealed.

In later life, divorced people are 44% more likely than the general population to die prematurely, it found.

Separated from their former spouse, divorcees may no longer have someone cooking healthy meals for them, making sure they get enough exercise and take their medication, or providing important emotional support. In contrast, excessive alcohol consumption was found to raise the odds of an untimely death by 36%, while recent financial difficulties increased them by almost a third.

The findings come from a study which analysed social and behavioural survey data collected between 1992 and 2008 from 13,611 people aged over 50.

Researchers then identified which of 57 non-health factors applied to those who died between 2008 and 2014.

Being a current smoker was most strongly linked to an early death, raising the risk by 91%.

But the second biggest risk came from being divorced – above factors including a lack of exercise and poor education. Those who had never married were found to be 30% more likely to die earlier.

The study’s lead author, Dr Eli Puterman, from the University of British Columbia in Canada, said: ‘In these older adults who were still alive in 2008, marriage may have provided some of them with a reason to go outside, to remain healthy, to remain socially engaged with others.

‘Also divorce – for many, but not for all – comes with very strong emotions, such as anger, sadness and loneliness, all of which have been shown to cause some ill health if experienced for a long time.’

The findings, which are published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, echo those of a study last year.

It found ending a marriage may take its toll on physical health, with divorced men walking more slowly than married ones.

Researchers at University College London, who looked at the physical capabilities of more than 20,000 older people, also found that divorced women had a weaker grip than wives who were still in their first marriage.