- Parental divorce before age 18 increases stroke risk by 61% in later life.
- The study adjusted for known risk factors like depression and diabetes.
- Stress-related biological mechanisms may contribute to the observed link.
A study published in PLoS ONE reveals that individuals who experienced parental divorce before 18 have a significantly higher risk of stroke in older adulthood.
While the exact mechanisms behind this association remain unclear, researchers hypothesize that the stress caused by parental divorce could lead to long-term dysregulation of the body’s stress-response systems.
Parental Divorce in Childhood May Heighten Stroke Risk in Later Years
A recent study suggests that childhood parental divorce may be linked to a higher risk of stroke in older adulthood, with individuals whose parents divorced before age 18 showing a 61% increased likelihood of having a stroke later in life. The study, which analyzed data from over 13,000 adults aged 65 and older, adjusted for various factors like depression, diabetes, and social isolation. Despite controlling for these known stroke risk factors, parental divorce remained a significant predictor of stroke risk.
This research provides crucial insight into how early life adversities can shape long-term health outcomes. While the study found a strong association between parental divorce and stroke risk, it also acknowledged that the exact cause is still uncertain. Researchers suspect that prolonged stress from childhood trauma, such as parental separation, might dysregulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which regulates the body’s stress response and could contribute to increased stroke risk.
The findings emphasize the need for further studies to explore how parental divorce impacts cardiovascular health, particularly in older adults. Understanding the biological mechanisms at play could help create targeted prevention strategies for those at risk. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of considering social and psychological factors in the management of stroke risk.
Importantly, the research controlled for other childhood adversities like physical abuse, household substance use, and domestic violence, which are also known to increase stroke risk. This strengthens the argument that parental divorce alone, even without other traumatic experiences, may have serious health implications. The findings underscore the long-term impact that early life events can have on an individual’s physical health, even decades later.
This study sheds light on the enduring impact of parental divorce on long-term health, emphasizing the need for further exploration of its role in stroke risk and other chronic conditions in older adults.
“The stress caused by parental divorce may have long-lasting biological consequences, contributing to increased cardiovascular risk decades later.”
