A recent study by researchers from the University of Toronto, Tyndale University, and the University of Texas at Arlington found that older adults experiencing parental divorce during childhood are at a higher risk of having a stroke. The study, published in PLOS One, revealed that one in nine older Americans with a divorced parent reported a stroke diagnosis, compared to one in 15 without such an experience. The lead author, Mary Kate Schilke, noted that even after accounting for known stroke risk factors like smoking and diabetes, those with a divided home life had nearly twice the odds of suffering a stroke (61% higher). This association is comparable in strength to other established stroke risks, such as diabetes or depression. Researchers excluded participants who experienced childhood abuse, finding that other forms of adversity, like emotional neglect or household mental illness, did not significantly increase stroke likelihood. Schilke emphasized that while the study highlights a link, it cannot establish causation and hopes future research will explore underlying mechanisms. The findings underscore the importance of considering parental divorce as a potential risk factor for stroke in older adults.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-01-adult-children-divorced-parents-higher.html