The health toll of JLo's divorce

Hollywood gossip is in overdrive with speculation that Jenifer Lopez and Ben Affleck may be headed for divorce.

CNN reported that the couple had listed their 12-bedroom California home for sale, fuelling speculation that the pair are experiencing difficulties.^[]

Neither Affleck nor Lopez has confirmed whether they will join the over 670,000 people who divorce annually in the US. Still, research suggests that for at least some of those people, divorce can have a significant impact on both mental and physical health.^[][]

“Divorce is a serious interpersonal stress. Although most people are resilient in the face of marital disruption, a small percentage of people (10% to 15%) can become quite distressed.^[]The physical health correlates of marital separation and divorce are comparable to other public health risk factors. A number of papers report significantly elevated blood pressure, exaggerated inflammatory responses, and risk for early death,” David Sbarra, PhD, a professor of psychology at the University of Arizona, tells MDLinx.

Sbarra has carried out several research studies on the impacts of marital separation. He says that the effects of divorce can sometimes be felt long before official legal proceedings even begin.

“Divorce is a shorthand term for the process of dissolution that begins well before the physical separation and legal proceedings. Physicians should be on the alert for increased interpersonal distress. Of particular concern is the risk for depressive episodes among people with a history of depression. Substance use is another concern, as is tobacco use relapse among abstainers who previously used it. Sleeplessness is a major health behavior disturbed around the end of marriage. Physicians should keep an eye on insomnia symptoms,” he says.

A meta-analysis published this month found that, compared to married people, those who are divorced experience more physical symptoms and have significantly worse self-reported health.^[]

The same meta-analysis reported that divorced people also have a higher risk of diabetes, cerebrovascular and cardiovascular conditions, sexually transmitted diseases, and joint pathologies.

Carla Marie Manly, PhD, is a clinical psychologist based in California and the author of “The Joy of Imperfect Love.” She says that stress experienced during divorce can have a serious impact on the body.

“It is well-known that stress—whether from a dysfunctional marriage, negative work environment, or toxic family dynamics—is destructive to both psychological and physical health. Research has long shown that chronic stress is correlated with decreased cardiovascular health, diabetes, and hypertension,” she tells MDLinx.

“For those whose lives are negatively impacted by divorce in the long term, the initial stress from the divorce may not subside. Unless remedial support is offered, those in this group, generally females without financial, social, educational, and professional resources, tend to suffer from physical and psychological health issues in the long term. Research [also] shows that individuals who are overweight [and] have a high level of alcohol use and a low level of exercise have an increased risk of post-divorce health issues.”    

The mental health impact

In total, 45 states and the District of Columbia report divorce rates. According to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the divorce rate is 2.4 per 1,000 people.^[]

Both Sbarra and Manly agree that healthcare providers should be cognizant of any signs that patients may need additional support when dealing with divorce.  

“Physicians and other healthcare professionals are often focused on physical symptoms, so it’s important for them to be on the lookout for warning signs of stress, anxiety, and depression when their patients are facing divorce. In the period during and following a divorce, healthcare professionals may notice warning signs such as low energy, flat affect, heightened reactivity, or failure to engage in regular self-care—for example, not brushing teeth, not showering, or wearing dirty clothes—that are uncharacteristic for the patient,” Manly says.

“During and after divorce, mental health issues can affect eating habits, so significant changes in weight—either weight loss or weight gain—can be signs of ongoing depression or stress. Sleep issues are common during stressful periods, so patients struggling with divorce issues often experience ongoing sleep deprivation; this may manifest in many ways, including confusion, depression, disorientation, or sluggishness…It’s important to screen for signs of suicidality in patients, as suicidal thoughts are not uncommon during or after divorce, particularly for those who have preexisting mental health issues. Finally, those who do not have strong support systems—for example family, friends, or mental health support—often fare worse during and after a divorce.”