Marital Disruption and Mental Health: a nine wave panel study

Publication type

Conference Paper

Series

American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting

Authors

Publication date

May 18, 2002

Abstract:

Background: Evidence suggests that marital transition is a precursor for poor mental health. However, there is contradictory evidence indicating that poor mental within marriage is a selective factor leading to marital disruption.
Aims: To examine the relationship between marital transitions and mental health within the framework of selection and causation processes.
Method: The sample is drawn from the nine annual waves of the British Household Panel Survey (1991 to 1999). Mental health was measured using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire.
Results: Findings indicate that those moving out of marriage have a much higher prevalence of poor mental health. However, further analyses indicate that, among those separated and divorced, disorder precedes marital disruption and the likelihood of transition out of marriage increases with previous mental health problems.
Conclusions: These results clearly support the presence of causation processes for widows/ers but tend toward selection processes for those who separate or divorce.

#517818

News

Latest findings, new research

Publications search

Search all research by subject and author

Podcasts

Researchers discuss their findings and what they mean for society

Projects

Background and context, methods and data, aims and outputs

Events

Conferences, seminars and workshops

Survey methodology

Specialist research, practice and study

Taking the long view

ISER's annual report

Themes

Key research themes and areas of interest