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Longevity following the experience of parental divorce

Author

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  • Martin, Leslie R.
  • Friedman, Howard S.
  • Clark, Kathleen M.
  • Tucker, Joan S.

Abstract

An archival prospective design was used to study mediating and moderating variables for the association between parental divorce and increased mortality risk, using a sub-group (n=1183) of individuals from the US Terman Life Cycle Study covering the period 1921-2000. In childhood, both socioeconomic status (SES) and family psychosocial environment were related to parental divorce but did little to explain its effects. The higher mortality risk associated with experiencing parental divorce was ameliorated among individuals (especially men) who achieved a sense of personal satisfaction by mid-life. Behaviorally, smoking was the strongest mediator of the divorce-mortality link. This study extends previous work on the long-term effects of parental divorce and reveals some reasons why the stress of parental divorce in childhood need not necessarily lead to negative later-life outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin, Leslie R. & Friedman, Howard S. & Clark, Kathleen M. & Tucker, Joan S., 2005. "Longevity following the experience of parental divorce," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 61(10), pages 2177-2189, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:61:y:2005:i:10:p:2177-2189
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lundberg, Olle, 1993. "The impact of childhood living conditions on illness and mortality in adulthood," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 36(8), pages 1047-1052, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kandyce Larson & Neal Halfon, 2013. "Parental divorce and adult longevity," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 58(1), pages 89-97, February.
    2. Gensowski, Miriam, 2018. "Personality, IQ, and lifetime earnings," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 170-183.
    3. Kang, Jeong-han & Kim, Jibum & Lee, Min-Ah, 2016. "Marital status and mortality: Does family structure in childhood matter?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 152-160.

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