Link between divorce and depression

A recent study by researchers at the University of Arizona has found that couples who have gone through a divorce or separation can run an increased risk of developing depression, but only if they already have a previous history of depressive episodes.

"Stressful life events like divorce are associated with significant risk for prolonged emotional distress, including clinically significant depression," said psychological scientist and lead researcher David Sbarra, associate professor of psychology at the UA. "At the same time, we know from considerable research that the experience of divorce is non-random. Some people are much greater risk for experiencing a divorce than other people."

Sbarra explained that the study’s findings were important as they reinforce the notion that most people going through divorce are resilient, and are not more likely to develop depression unless they have already done so in their past.

"If you've never experienced a significant depression in your life and you experience a separation or divorce, your odds for becoming depressed in the future are not that large at all," he commented.

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