Journal article
Parental divorce and adult longevity
International journal of public health, Vol.58(1), pp.89-97
02/01/2013
DOI: 10.1007/s00038-012-0373-x
PMID: 22674375
Abstract
Life course research has established associations between adverse childhood events and later life health. We examine the relationship of experiencing parental divorce before the age of 16 and survival across 34 years of adulthood.
Analysis of panel data from a USA-based survey of 6,928 adults residing in Alameda County, California in 1965. Cox regression was used to examine associations between parental divorce and longevity.
Controlling for age, race/ethnicity, gender, and childhood socioeconomic position, respondents who recalled a parental divorce during childhood had increased risk of mortality compared to those with no separation. The association was stronger for premature mortality and deaths due to cardiovascular disease. Divorce in childhood was also associated with lowered adult education, fewer social network ties, more depression, and worse health practices. These factors appeared to explain the association with longevity.
Parental divorce in childhood is associated with lowered well-being in adulthood and long-term survival. Early prevention and health promotion efforts may be warranted for children who experience parental divorce or discord as a means of supporting enhanced trajectories of health and well-being.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Parental divorce and adult longevity
- Creators
- Kandyce Larson - UCLA Center for Healthier Children, Families, and CommunitiesNeal Halfon - UCLA Center for Healthier Children, Families, and Communities
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- International journal of public health, Vol.58(1), pp.89-97
- DOI
- 10.1007/s00038-012-0373-x
- PMID
- 22674375
- NLM abbreviation
- Int J Public Health
- ISSN
- 1661-8556
- eISSN
- 1661-8564
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Number of pages
- 9
- Grant note
- UA6MC19803 / Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the Health Resources and Services Administration for the Maternal and Child Health Life Course Research Network NIH LRP; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 02/01/2013
- Academic Unit
- Public Policy Center (Archive)
- Record Identifier
- 9984283709402771
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