Genetic risk of mental diseases may cause divorce, study finds

A recent study has uncovered a fascinating link between genetics and divorce risk. Researchers at Rutgers University analyzed the marital histories of millions of individuals in Sweden and found that people who get divorced often have a higher genetic predisposition to psychiatric disorders, even if they never develop these conditions themselves.

The study, published in Clinical Psychological Science, sheds light on how genetic factors might subtly influence major life events like marriage and divorce.

The study examined data from 2.8 million Swedish residents born between 1950 and 1980. Researchers tracked their marital histories, including divorces and remarriages, up to 2018.

Although the study didn’t use direct genetic testing, researchers calculated genetic risk scores based on psychiatric diagnoses within participants’ extended families. This method allowed them to estimate individuals’ genetic predispositions for a variety of psychiatric and behavioral health conditions.

The findings revealed that divorced individuals had a higher genetic risk for disorders such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders compared to those in stable marriages.

Even when excluding participants who were diagnosed with these conditions, the pattern remained. This suggests that genetic predispositions, even in the absence of a diagnosed disorder, can influence a person’s likelihood of experiencing divorce.

Interestingly, the study found that genetic risk scores were particularly high among people who divorced multiple times. Those who had three or more divorces had genetic risk scores for depression and anxiety nearly as high as those diagnosed with these conditions.

Women who divorced generally had higher genetic risk scores across all disorders than divorced men, indicating potential gender differences in how genetics may impact marital outcomes.

The study also observed differences in remarriage outcomes. People who remarried and maintained stable second marriages had lower genetic risk scores than those who either divorced again or never remarried.

This suggests that genetic predispositions may also play a role in how individuals choose partners and handle relationship challenges.

Researchers explored genetic risk for ten psychiatric and behavioral conditions, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders.

They calculated these risks by analyzing diagnoses among first- through fifth-degree relatives. For example, having several close relatives with a disorder led to a higher genetic risk score than having distant relatives with similar conditions.

The study highlights several possible ways that genetics might contribute to divorce risk. For example, genetic predispositions could manifest in traits like impulsivity, emotional instability, or difficulties managing stress—all of which can challenge relationships.

These tendencies may also affect how people respond to conflict or interact with their partners, potentially making marital stability harder to achieve.

Interestingly, stable marriages were associated with lower genetic risk scores across all psychiatric disorders. Married individuals had lower scores than both divorced and never-married participants, suggesting that marriage itself might act as a buffer against certain genetic risks.

However, researchers caution that these findings don’t imply causation but rather reflect patterns that may guide future research.

Lead author Jessica Salvatore, an associate professor at Rutgers University, noted the practical implications of these findings. She emphasized that even if someone doesn’t personally experience a psychiatric disorder, their genetic predispositions can still influence their relationships.

This insight could help raise awareness about how genetics may impact relationship dynamics and guide interventions to support couples at risk of instability.

The study offers one of the most comprehensive examinations of how genetic predispositions for psychiatric disorders can affect marital outcomes. By understanding these connections, researchers hope to better support individuals and couples in building and maintaining stable relationships.

The findings also underscore the complex interplay between genetics, behavior, and life experiences, offering valuable insights for both science and society.

If you care about health, please read studies that scientists find a core feature of depression and this metal in the brain strongly linked to depression.

For more information about health, please see recent studies about drug for mental health that may harm the brain, and results showing this therapy more effective than ketamine in treating severe depression.

The research findings can be found in Clinical Psychological Science.