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Scientists at Michigan State University, who have studied the cognitive function of more than 15,000 people from different marital states, have found that divorce doubles the risk of dementia.
The researchers found that divorces make people, especially men, more likely to develop memory loss of more than 14 years of age than married couples.
The new study believes that "different economic resources" and "health-related behaviors" may be partly responsible. The social support that accompanies marriage, while avoiding the emotional and financial stress of divorce, is associated with better overall health.
"This study is important because the number of unmarried seniors in the United States continues to grow, as people live longer and their marital histories become more complex," said lead researcher Dr. Hui Liu.
In this study, researchers analyzed 15,379 participants in the health and retirement study conducted between 2000 and 2014.
The participants, aged 52 or older, were divided into groups: married, divorced, separated, widowed and single. Scientists measured cognitive function every two years, either in person or by telephone.
The results revealed that all unmarried participants were more likely to develop dementia over the 14 years of study than their family-related counterparts.
Scientists argue that "different economic resources" are partly related to the high risk of dementia among divorced, widowed and unmarried participants.
"Health-related behaviors" have had a low impact on the risk of dementia among divorced and married participants, but do not affect other marital conditions.
Overall, experts believe that "what is good for the heart is good for the brain". A team from the University of Tilburg in the Netherlands found that a happy marriage reduces the risk of premature death.
Whatever the reason, scientists at the University of Michigan hope that their study will help health officials to "identify vulnerable groups".
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