Study: Divorce Associated with COVID Morbidity

A recent study published by the International Journal of General Medicine discussed some of the risk factors concerning COVID-19 mortality and various other factors such as race, income, population density, and marriage. The study did not reach a conclusion concerning causation, but COVID-19 mortality was worse for those who were divorced than it was for those who were married.

While medical journals don’t often broach topics such as immune health and your emotional life, it’s very likely that those who are fighting off an infection do so more successfully when they have something to live for. The pandemic was very alienating, especially for those who were elderly, and isolation was an underreported factor in several drug overdoses and suicides that occurred during the pandemic.

Understanding the studies 

From other reports, we do know that emotional health can have a profound impact on your physical health and that unwanted isolation or loneliness is a risk factor for emotional problems. Conditions that are linked to social isolation and loneliness include:

• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Obesity
• Weakened immune system
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Cognitive problems
• Alzheimer’s disease

Risk factors for isolation include a recent divorce, retirement, loss of a partner, and a lack of mobility. Meanwhile, those who engage with others, attempt to socialize, and find meaning in their lives, tend to live longer and have a better prognosis for ailments that do occur, including COVID. Further, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and a weakened immune system were all risk factors for fatal COVID cases.

What do we do with this information?

Another recent study showed that men were at particular risk of having mental health issues shortly after divorcing. The study hypothesized that men rely on their wives for socializing and become isolated when their marriage fails. This leaves them alone with few confidants, increases their risk of anxiety and depression, and makes them more susceptible to common ailments like COVID-19. Worse still for men, COVID was associated with much worse outcomes for men than it was for women. Meanwhile, social isolation can cause conditions that increase COVID mortality.

So, now that we know, what do we do? Well, especially for men who are coming out of a recent divorce, it is important to focus on yourself, your social life, and the things that make you happy. Hobbies, work, and reaching out to others can help prevent some of the worst symptoms resulting from divorce. While it may not be easy to transition from married life to divorce, those who fill the void with meaning elsewhere tend to live longer, are happier, and have better immune symptoms than those who don’t. Substance abuse also remains a major risk factor post-divorce.

Talk to a Philadelphia Divorce Attorney Today 

If you are considering divorce or have been served with papers, call the Philadelphia divorce lawyers at the Law Offices of Lauren H. Kane today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can help.

Sources:

nia.nih.gov/news/social-isolation-loneliness-older-people-pose-health-risks#:~:text=Research%20has%20linked%20social%20isolation,Alzheimer’s%20disease%2C%20and%20even%20death.

oakland.edu/inmedicine/research/2021/New-study-led-by-OUWB-student-suggests-link-between-marital-status,-COVID-19-deaths