Divorce and Widowhood Linked to Higher Mortality in Long-Term Norwegian Study

Divorcees and people who become widowed may face an elevated risk of death compared with those who remain partnered, according to new research from Norway.

Divorces or breakups were consistently linked with higher mortality across all study waves compared to couples who stayed together.(iStock)

The analysis, published in BMJ Public Health, followed three cohorts of roughly 20,000 participants each who were married or cohabiting at baseline and covered the period from 1984 to 2019. Researchers classified participants at a later survey wave as still married or cohabiting, divorced or moved out, or widowed, then linked those classifications to national death records through January 2020.

The link between breakup and mortality was stronger and found to be statistically significant only among women, the second study period revealed.

Using statistical models that adjusted for age, sex, health behaviors, self-rated health and loneliness, the team found that separation or divorce was consistently associated with higher mortality than remaining with a partner across the cohorts. Becoming widowed was associated with about a 14% higher risk of death overall, with the strongest effect observed in the earliest period included in the study.

Being widowed was also linked to about a 14% higher mortality risk, though the association was strongest in the earliest period studied.

During the study's middle time period, the association between separation and mortality intensified; in that phase the link reached statistical significance only among women. The authors emphasize that these findings show an association between partnership loss (or living alone) and mortality risk, and do not prove a direct causal relationship.

Expert Comment and Public-Health Implications

M. David Rudd, PhD, a professor of psychology at the University of Memphis and director of the Rudd Institute for Veteran & Military Suicide Prevention (who was not involved in the study), said the findings reinforce long-standing evidence about the harms of loneliness. "Loneliness has significant and severe consequences for physical health and emotional well-being," he said, adding that human connection is essential to health, happiness and survival.

"These findings highlight the importance of addressing social disconnection in public health and in clinical practice to reduce preventable mortality," the study authors wrote.

Limitations and Context

As with all observational research, limitations apply. The study cannot establish causation and may be affected by unmeasured confounders or changes in social norms and healthcare over the nearly four decades of follow-up. The results reflect Norwegian national data, which may limit direct generalization to other countries with different social supports and healthcare systems.

Takeaway

While the mechanisms linking partnership loss and mortality remain complex, the research underscores the health importance of social connections. Experts urge people who are divorced or widowed to prioritize social engagement and relationship-building—these do not have to be romantic relationships but can include friends, family, community groups and other supportive ties.