May 28, 2001 – According to research (not yet published) of 90 couples over 10 years, blood levels of stress hormones are more reliable than aggressive or negative behavior in predicting divorce.
The couples had been specially screened by the Ohio State University Medical Center because they all said they were very happy to be together early in their marriage and showed no risk factors known as behavioral issues or problems. psychiatric illnesses. In fact, after ten years, their divorce rate of 19% was about half the average rate in the United States.
At the start of the research, couples who divorced said they were as happy as those who stayed together. But their levels of stress hormones (adrenaline, norepinephrine, cortisol, and ACTH) revealed that something, on an unconscious level, was not going so well.
According to Dr Janice K. Kiecolt-Glaser, there does not appear to be any genetic factor involved because, apart from being in the presence of their partner, the participants did not show any particular aptitude to secrete stress hormones in d. ‘other circumstances.
Beyond a possible reductionist interpretation (such as concluding that reducing the level of stress hormones would lower the divorce rate), research shows above all that subtle discomforts and unconscious unspoken between spouses increase imperceptibly the stress levels and subject individuals to constant tension. Logically, these unconscious and latent conflicts end up erupting one day or another. Hence future research will conclude that the practice of frank and sincere dialogue between spouses is the best way to lower stress hormone levels.
Two other research previously published by Dr. Kiecolt-Glaser showed a significant link between the state of the immune system and the process of separation. This research is consistent with the epidemiological data concerning the rate of morbidity (disease) and mortality in divorced people.
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Kiecolt-Glaser JK, Kennedy S, Malkoff S, Fisher L, Speicher CE, Glaser R. Marital discord and immunity in males. Psychosom Med. 1988 May-Jun; 50 (3): 213-29.
Kiecolt-Glaser JK, Fisher LD, Ogrocki P, Stout JC, Speicher CE, Glaser R. Marital quality, marital disruption, and immune function. Psychosom Med. 1987 Jan-Feb; 49 (1): 13-34.