Husbands More Likely to Seek Divorce if Wife Falls Ill

According to a new study carried out by academics at Iowa State University, husbands are more likely to seek divorce when their wives fall ill.

An analysis of more than 2,700 married couples highlighted that where the wife suffered a serious illness, the couple were 6% more likely to get divorced than if the wife were to remain in good health. However, in contrast, where husbands fell ill the likelihood of divorce did not increase.

The data was taken from a sample of American couples, all aged over 50, who were questioned every two years over a period of almost 20 years from the early 1990s about their health and other aspects of their lives. The academics suggested that because women have traditionally been the primary caregivers in the family, when they do succumb to a serious illness, men are less able to cope with family life.

Amelia Karraker, assistant professor in human development and family studies at Iowa State University, said:

"There is a difference between feeling too sick to make dinner and needing someone to actually feed you - that is something that can really change the dynamics within a marriage.

"If your spouse is too sick to work, we know that financial strain is a major predictor of divorce in and of itself."

"It could be that women are saying, 'You're doing a bad job of caring for me, I'm not happy with this', or 'I wasn't happy with the relationship to begin with, and I'd rather be alone than be in a bad marriage'."

If you're thinking about divorcing your partner, contact our divorce solicitors on 0161 492 0300 for advice.

Crumpsall Solicitors

Manchester