Study Shows Illness Could Make Divorce More Likely

When people marry, they make several promises to one another. Unfortunately, when these promises are made, it is impossible to tell how each person’s life will change over the course of the marriage. For many people in Louisiana, divorce becomes the only option to lead a happy life. While there are a variety of reasons a couple might choose to end their marriage, one study shows that a marriage has a higher likelihood of ending if the wife is diagnosed with a serious illness after a certain age.

The study examined approximately 2,700 couples who were over the age of 50 over the course of 18 years. Results seem to indicate that when a wife is diagnosed with a major illness, such as lung disease or stroke, the marriage has a 6 percent higher probability of ending in divorce. However, the reasons for the statistic are unclear.

While a major illness can put stress on a marriage, it may not be the husband who leaves as some people might assume. Previous studies show that wives seek divorces in the majority of cases. Typically, women report less satisfaction when their husband is their caregiver than men report when their wives provide care. Some speculate that the diagnosis of a major illness may be a sort of wake-up call — making a woman’s unhappiness more obvious and spurring them to make a choice that will ultimately lead to a happier life.

Regardless of the reasons a couple may choose a divorce, it is often the best decision for both people. Many times, people in Louisiana are able to move on without a contentious, expensive battle. While taking such a step may seem daunting, an experienced family law attorney can help guide clients through the process and advise them on the best course of action.

Source: The Huffington Post, “Couples Over 50 Are More Likely To Divorce When The Wife Gets Sick, Study Suggests“, Rebecca Adams, March 5, 2015