A groundbreaking study reveals that experiencing parental divorce during childhood significantly increases the risk of stroke later in life. The research, conducted on over 13,000 older Americans, found that one in nine individuals who experienced parental divorce had a stroke compared to one in 15 without such experiences. Study author Mary Kate Schilke noted that even after accounting for known stroke risk factors like smoking and diabetes, those with parental divorce were still six times more likely to have a stroke. This association is as strong as well-known risk factors such as diabetes and depression.
The study was based on data from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey. Researchers excluded participants who had experienced abuse or neglect in childhood, but the link between parental divorce and stroke remained strong even after these exclusions. Co-author Philip Baiden explained that while other forms of childhood adversity didn’t significantly increase stroke risk, parental divorce was a consistent factor.
Schilke emphasized that this study doesn’t prove cause-and-effect but suggests that both biological and social factors may contribute to the increased risk. Researchers propose that chronic stress from parental divorce could have long-term physiological effects on the brain and affect future health behaviors. The findings highlight the importance of considering childhood family history in stroke prevention strategies, potentially allowing healthcare providers to tailor programs for at-risk individuals.
As more research is needed to fully understand these connections, this study opens new avenues for addressing stroke risk based on early-life experiences.
Source: https://www.earth.com/news/children-of-divorced-parents-have-a-higher-stroke-risk-later-in-life