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A recent study underscores the long-term health consequences of parental divorce, revealing a striking correlation between childhood parental separation and an increased risk of stroke in older adults.
Even when traditional stroke risk factors like lifestyle choices and socioeconomic status are considered, the study suggests that the effects of parental divorce continue to influence health outcomes decades later, pointing to both biological and social factors that may exacerbate stress responses into later life.
Impact of Parental Divorce on Stroke Risk
In a groundbreaking study conducted by researchers from the University of Toronto, Tyndale University, and the University of Texas at Arlington, it was found that older adults who experienced parental divorce during childhood are more likely to suffer from strokes.
Among Americans aged 65 and older, the study found that one in nine individuals whose parents divorced in their childhood reported having a stroke. In comparison, only one in 15 individuals whose parents stayed together reported the same health issue.
Analyzing Divorce’s Long-Term Health Effects
“Our study indicates that even after taking into account most of the known risk factors associated with stroke — including smoking, physical inactivity, lower income and education, diabetes, depression, and low social support — those whose parents divorced still had 61% higher odds of having a stroke,” said Mary Kate Schilke, first author of the study and a lecturer at Tyndale University.
The study’s findings show that the association between parental divorce and stroke is comparable to other well-established stroke risk factors like diabetes and depression. This research further builds on a similar study conducted nearly a decade ago, revealing a consistent trend across different populations.
Exploring Underlying Mechanisms and Exclusions
Esme Fuller-Thomson, a senior author and Professor at the University of Toronto, noted, “We need to shed light on the mechanisms that may contribute to this association. While these types of survey-based studies cannot establish causality, we are hoping that our consistent findings will inspire others to explore this topic further.”
The study excluded participants with a history of childhood abuse, finding that even without abuse, children of divorced parents were still more likely to face stroke risk. “Even when people hadn’t experienced childhood physical and sexual abuse, and had at least one adult who made them feel safe, they were still more likely to have a stroke if their parents divorced,” said Co-author Philip Baiden from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Biological and Social Factors at Play
Interestingly, other forms of childhood adversity, including emotional abuse, neglect, household mental illness, substance abuse, and exposure to parental domestic violence, did not significantly increase stroke risk in this study.
While the exact cause of the link between parental divorce and stroke remains unclear, the researchers theorize that both biological and social factors are involved. “From a biological embedding perspective, having your parents split up during childhood could lead to sustained high levels of stress hormones,” explained Fuller-Thomson. “This prolonged stress could affect the developing brain and a child’s ability to manage stress later in life.”
Published in PLOS One, the study is based on the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, analyzing responses from 13,205 older Americans, 13.9% of whom had experienced parental divorce during their childhood.
“If future research supports the link between parental divorce and stroke, healthcare professionals might use knowledge of a patient’s childhood family structure to better target stroke prevention and education,” said Schilke.
Disclaimer:
While this study provides valuable insights, it does not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between parental divorce and stroke. Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms, and healthcare decisions should always be made in consultation with a medical professional.
