Research indicates that divorce tends to pose greater challenges for women aged 50 to 70 than for their male counterparts, a difference reflected in longer use of antidepressant medications in the aftermath of relationship dissolution. This conclusion emerges from a study conducted by researchers at Chongqing Medical University in China and published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health (JECH) .
The study examined antidepressant prescription patterns among Finns aged 50 to 70 over a 22-year span from 1996 to 2018. The cohort comprised 228,644 individuals, with 85,031 participants experiencing the loss of a spouse, 75,009 undergoing divorce, and 68,604 separating from a partner for other reasons. The data clarify how relationship transitions influence mental health treatment needs across the two genders in this age group.
Follow-up assessments showed that a portion of participants entered new relationships within two to three years after the end of a partnership. Specifically, 53,460 moved into new relationships, including 31,238 after separation, 15,958 after divorce, and 6,264 after the death of a partner. These transitions help illuminate how social ties and emotional support networks interact with pharmacologic management of mood disorders during midlife and later life.
Across the study, men appeared more inclined than women to form a new relationship following separation or spousal loss. Nevertheless, antidepressant use increased after the loss of a partner for both genders. The six months prior to divorce also saw heightened antidepressant use, rising by about 5 percent among men and 7 percent among women.
Looking closer, women who experienced a breakup showed a notable rise in antidepressant use beginning four years before the event, with an average increase of around 6 percent. Men also showed a rise, but at a smaller rate of about 3 percent. This pattern suggests gender differences in pre-event emotional adjustment and coping strategies as divorce looms.
Within a year after divorce or separation, the trajectory differed by sex. Men tended to revert to antidepressant use levels observed a year before the relationship ended rather quickly, while women’s use remained slightly elevated beyond that one-year mark before gradually leveling off. These trajectories highlight how recovery timelines and mental health needs can diverge after relationship transitions.
Experts interpreting the results have proposed that women may shoulder a greater portion of managing interpersonal dynamics within families and social spheres. This additional responsibility could contribute to sustained stress or emotional strain, which in turn influences mental health outcomes and treatment patterns. The study underscores the importance of recognizing gender-specific stressors and ensuring access to supportive resources during midlife caregiving and marriage transitions.
Overall, these findings emphasize that life events tied to intimate relationships—such as separation, divorce, or spousal death—can exert lasting effects on mental health management strategies. Clinicians, policymakers, and community programs may benefit from incorporating gender-informed approaches that address the distinct pressures faced by middle-aged and older women and men as relationships change. This research contributes to a broader understanding of how social roles and emotional wellbeing intersect in late midlife and beyond, inviting further inquiry into support systems that foster resilience during major life transitions.
Note: The observations reflect patterns in antidepressant prescriptions as an indicator of mood-related distress during significant relationship events and are not a direct measure of mood disorders themselves. Further investigations could explore additional factors such as social support, economic stability, and access to mental health services that shape these outcomes over time.