Gray divorce—or divorce that occurs after the age of 50—is on the rise not just in the United States but across the world. It appears every developed country is seeing a rise in gray divorce. The factors driving the trend are simple. Populations are growing older than they ever have before. Populations of potential partners are larger than they ever have been before. Older people are weighing their options and exiting marriages that no longer fulfill their needs. Sociologists are scurrying to study the phenomena, with new research papers appearing monthly in the headlines.

The latest study sought to determine how formerly-married spouses fare directly after a divorce. The study was conducted in China and studied the use of anti-depressants directly following a divorce, break-up, or bereavement. The study also selected for how quickly a former spouse was likely to take on a new partner after their divorce.

According to the study, anti-depressant use in both men and women increased in the months leading up to and following a divorce. However, women showed greater anti-depressant use after divorce than men and tended to require anti-depressants for a longer period of time. Meanwhile, men were more likely to re-partner after two to three years following a divorce, with women waiting longer or not re-partnering at all. 

Analyzing the Study

According to the study, more men than women re-partnered after a divorce, bereavement, or break-up. Both men and women increased their use of anti-depressants after their partner had died, but that increase was more notable in women than men. Men increased their anti-depressant use by 5.5%, while women increased their anti-depressant use by nearly 7%. 

In the six months prior to a divorce, both men and women increased their anti-depressant use. Once again, however, the increase was more notable in women than men. Men increased their anti-depressant use by 5%, while women increased their use by 7%. 

In terms of basic break-ups, men increased their anti-depressant use by 3%, while women increased their use by 6%. 

The study also indicated that women tend to take anti-depressants for a longer period of time following a divorce, break-up, or bereavement. Within a year, men were able to reduce their usage of anti-depressants, while women actually began increasing their dosage after the first year following a divorce, bereavement, or break-up.

The study researchers indicated that the data seems to suggest that women bear the emotional costs of the loss of their partner to a greater extent than men do. Men were more likely to seek emotional support in the form of another partner, and this was associated with decreased anti-depressant use. The study opined that men tend to get greater satisfaction from being married than women, and this may account for their need to re-partner. However, other studies have indicated that men fare very poorly after recent divorces, and divorce may be a risk factor for depression, isolation, and alcoholism.

Talk to a Danville, IN Divorce Lawyer Today

Chris Arrington represents the interests of couples seeking divorce in Danville, IN. Call our office today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin discussing your next steps right away.