Splitsville News

In health news reported today, a researcher at the University of Utah has claimed that women are more negatively affected by a relationship marked by anger and arguing than men.  While both men and women from such relationships were more likely to feel depressed than those in a happier marriage, it is the women in the unhappy marriages who were more likely to develop troubling health conditions.  Based on the study, where participants in were 54 years old (on average) and had been married over 27 years (also on average), researchers concluded that women were more likely to have high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood sugar.  Those three conditions are among those that can boost the risk of serious health conditions such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

Reading about this research from my perspective as a divorce attorney, I see the possible health consequences as one reason among many to mindfully evaluate a marriage.  Having made a decision myself to end a many year relationship, I understand that a transition out of a relationship can be huge and overwhelming.  However, if it’s too late to take sociology professor Debra Umberson’s advice to “choose  your partner carefully”, then it is time to consider whether you and your partner are willing to learn and use conflict resolution techniques.  If that doesn’t work, then it may be time to consider educating yourself about divorce.  While difficult, it could be a healthy step to change an unhealthy situation.