Marital transitions and mental health: Are there gender differences in the short-term effects of marital status change?

The mental health and parenting practices of recently separated parents

“…The reason that females may be more anxious or avoidant than males is that post-separation, they have lower income and generally have sole care of the child/ren (as confirmed by the current results and previous research; e.g. Strohschein et al, 2005;Varner & Mandara, 2009;Williams & Dunne-Bryant, 2006). This would create more stressful circumstances for females post-separation, thus causing more avoidant and anxious attachment styles.…”

“…It seems that this psychological distress persists for at least two years post-separation (as time since separation was found to increase subjective wellbeing in this sample that had separated in the past two years). This finding is supported by previous literature (Bruce & Kim, 1992;Davies et al, 1997;Hardy & Wadsworth, 1997;Overbeek, et al, 2006;Simon & Marcussen, 1999;Strohschein et al, 2005;Wade & Pevalin, 2004). The predictors found in this section provide a set of focal points for the assessment of a separated parent, in order to assess the fragility of their mental health.…”

“…In contrast, Strohschein et al (2005) found no evidence to support the hypothesis that a change in marital status exerts sex-specific effects on mental health. They suggested that males and females who experienced a marital transition proceeded along similar paths in adjusting to their new roles.…”

“…Simon and Marcussen (1999) Males and females Marriage Increased levels of depression (more so for females than males). - Strohschein, McDonough, Monette, and Shao (2005) Males and females Marriage No sex differences in mental health postseparation.…”

“…However, the studies which have investigated this are rather inconsistent when identifying which sex is at higher risk of mental health issues. Some studies suggest that females are at higher risk (Aseltine & Kessler, 1993;Coryell et al, 1992;Hill & Hilton, 1999); some studies suggest that males are at higher risk (Bruce & Kim, 1992); and a few studies have found no sex differences at all (Strohschein, McDonough, Monette, & Shao, 2005;Sweeney & Horowitz, 2001).…”