No one is steadfast in the face of separations. Whether it is an amicable separation, a breakup or even a divorce, the trials of life hinder the heart and the pain is elusive. But are we all equal in the face of adversity? This is the question that Chinese scientists from Chongqing Medical University tried to answer.
The consequences ofseparation or bereavement on mental health
L’observational study consisted of comparing the evolution of antidepressant consumption in men and women, during and after different types of separations, as well as the consequences of a new couple formation a posteriori. To carry out their research, the researchers examined data from 228,644 Finnish residents, aged 50 to 70. Everyone has all known a breakup, divorce or bereavement of a partner between 2000 and 2014.
In total, 68,604 (30 %) separated from a partner, 75,009 (33 %) divorced and 85,031 (37 %) suffered bereavement. Subsequently, 53,460 people started a new relationship within 2 to 3 years, on average. 31,238 people got back together after a breakup, 15,958 after a divorce and 6,264 after the death of a partner. These are the men who were the most numerous to get back into a relationship after a bereavement or breakup. In contrast, no similar findings were observed after divorce.
Taking antidepressants after a emotional ordeal
Consumer trendsantidepressants observed reveal that women would have more difficult than men to adapt emotionally to a breakup or divorce, at an advanced age. According to the analyses, women who have experienced a breakup have increased significantly their consumption of antidepressants during the 4 years preceding the event. This is also the case for men (with 3% of them affected) but to a lesser extent than women (6%).
For people who have gone through a divorce, men (5%) and women (7%) increased their use of antidepressants six months before the divorce. Immediately afterwards, their consumption decreased for everyone, before stabilizing after a year. Nevertheless, she remained higher than before the divorce.
Finally, men and women whose partner died increased their medication consumption between 4 and 1 year(s) before the event, with a sharp increase in the 3 months before and the 3 months after the tragedy. The observation was noted for a little less than 5.5% of men and almost 7% of women. Consumption subsequently declined, but remained higher than before.
Women more vulnerable to separations than men
The authors write that the observed increase in antidepressant consumption may be linked to the fact that “the costs of marital dissolution on mental health weigh more heavily on women only on men“. And added: “Smaller declines in usage [d’antidépresseurs] associated with the reformation of a couple among women than among men may be linked to explanations according to which marriage benefits more about mental health men than women, and that elderly men are more likely that women seek emotional support in the reformation of the couple.“
According to scientists, “women are likely totake on greater responsibilities in the management of interpersonal relationships between reconstituted families, particularly with their partner’s children, which can harm their mental health.“
Sources :
- Trajectories of antidepressant use before and after union dissolution and re-partnering in later life: a prospective total population register-based cohort study – Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health
- Women may find it harder to adjust to later life divorce and break-ups than men – Eurekalert
