Study finds link between parental divorce and stroke in life

Divorce can be painful for children of separating parents, but new research out of the University of Texas at Arlington suggests the health impacts may linger far beyond adolescence. The study, published in the journal PLOS One, found among adults age 65 and older, those who experienced parental divorce in childhood and no other mental or emotional trauma — such as physical or sexual abuse — were more likely to report having a stroke.

- Miriam Fauzia, Tribune News Service

The odds were one in nine for those adults, compared to one in 15 for those whose parents didn't divorce. This link doesn't mean every child of divorce will experience a stroke later in life, said Philip Baiden, an associate professor of social work at the University of Texas at Arlington, who co-authored the study. As an association study, it doesn't prove parental divorce causes stroke in older adulthood.

It does hint at a possible link between childhood stress and long-term health risks - something health care providers may want to consider when evaluating and treating those vulnerable to stroke. That information, Baiden said, may allow for more comprehensive conversations on managing stress in a way that helps reduce other risks.

There are many known risk factors for stroke, a medical emergency where blood flow to the brain is blocked, typically by a blood clot or a broken blood vessel. These risk factors can include medical conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes and lifestyle choices like cigarette smoking or being physically inactive.