A longitudinal study published in BMJ Public Health reveals that divorced individuals and widows face a significantly higher mortality risk compared to those who remain coupled. Researchers from Norway analyzed national health data spanning 35 years, tracking approximately 60,000 participants from 1984 to 2019.
The data indicates that relationship dissolution is consistently linked to higher mortality rates, even after adjusting for age, gender, health habits, and self-rated wellness. While widowhood correlated with a 14% increase in mortality risk, the association was most pronounced in the earliest study periods.
Notably, during the second phase of the study, the link between breakup and mortality became statistically significant only among women. Experts emphasize that while the study establishes an association rather than direct causation, it underscores the severe physical consequences of social isolation.
M. David Rudd, a psychology professor at the University of Memphis, noted that these findings reinforce decades of evidence regarding the vital role of human connection. He argues that nurturing relationships is essential for survival, particularly as digital technologies contribute to increasing societal isolation.