Divorce lessons from 2012 studies

With the impact that it has on society both in the United States and throughout the rest of the world, many researchers have conducted studies on various aspects of divorce. The 2012 calendar year was no different, as these studies unearthed notable revelations in the world of divorce.

Here are some things that we learned from divorce studies in 2012:

• Women who work more hours may be considering divorce: The European Economic Review found that women who log a seemingly insignificant 12 minutes more per week at work are one percent more likely to get a divorce. Researchers suggested that the extra time is essentially insurance as they ponder divorce.
• More men cope with a divorce through drinking: A study by researchers at the University of Cincinnati concluded that men are more likely to turn to drinking following a divorce than women. The same study also suggested that married women drink more than women who are divorced or widowed.
• Co-habiting not a clear indicator of impending divorce: Living together before marriage used to be a noticeable precursor for divorce. Now, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are no longer clear ties between the two.
• Divorcing at a younger age can take a heavier toll on health: Researchers at Michigan State University released findings that proved divorce at an earlier age can have a greater affect on a person’s health than late-life divorces. The study examined 1,282 participants over a 15-year period.
• Uncertainty before marriage can lead to trouble: In what might be a statement of the obvious, a study by researchers at UCLA highlighted the fact that those who are uncertain or hesitant about getting married face an increased likelihood of a failed marriage.

The entire batch of 2012 studies tells us divorce, at the end of the day, can be unpredictable. In the event of a divorce, spouses must put aside negative feelings and focus on squaring away all the important details of a divorce settlement.

Source: Huffington Post, “Divorce study: The Most Fascinating Divorce Findings of 2012,” Brittany Wong, Dec. 31, 2012