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From the article Marital breakdown and subsequent depression.
By Michelle Rotermann, Health Analysis and Measurement Group, Statistics Canada.
- For both men and women, dissolution of a marriage or common-law relationship increased the likelihood of a new episode of depression.
- The study found that 12% of people whose relationship had ended reported a new episode of depression. This compared with 3% among people who remained in a relationship.
- The study found that 12% of people whose relationship had ended reported a new episode of depression. This compared with 3% among people who remained in a relationship.
- This association persisted even when the effects of other disruptions that may accompany a break-up were considered, such as a change in income or in the level of social support.
- Marital dissolution was more strongly associated with depression among men than among women.
- Men aged 20 to 64 who had divorced or separated were six times more likely to report an episode of depression than were men who remained in a relationship.
- Women who had undergone a marital break-up were 3.5 times more likely to have had a bout of depression than were their counterparts who were still in a relationship.
- Men aged 20 to 64 who had divorced or separated were six times more likely to report an episode of depression than were men who remained in a relationship.
- For the majority, depression was isolated to the period immediately surrounding the break-up. Nonetheless, four years later, depression continued to be a problem for a sizable minority.
