Impact of divorce on children: 55% higher risk of early death

New research from the US warns of the profound impact of parental divorce when children are young, not only reducing their learning and development opportunities but also associated with a significantly higher risk of early death.

The risk of death, crime and teenage pregnancy increases when children have parents who divorce at a young age - Photo: Evolvetreatmen

A large-scale study recently published in the journal Science Advances, conducted by scientists from the University of Maryland, the University of California Merced and the US Census Bureau, shows that children whose parents divorce before the age of 5 have a 55% higher risk of early death than other children.

According to the research team, parental divorce is not simply a legal event, but a series of long-term impacts on children's lives: from financial instability, change of residence, to the appearance of a stepparent and new family structure.

Median household incomes drop by nearly 50% after divorce and recover by only half within 10 years. Single parents are more likely to work longer hours (8% for mothers, 16% for fathers), leaving less time to spend with their children. At the same time, home-moving rates triple, mostly to lower-income neighborhoods.

Data shows that about half of parents will remarry within five years of divorce, meaning children must soon adapt to living with a step-parent and more dependents.

Data from more than 5 million children born between 1988 and 1993 were linked from federal tax, social security, and Census Bureau records, allowing the team to track the real-world impact of divorce on children's life outcomes.

The most alarming conclusion is that children whose parents divorce before the age of 5 have a risk of: teenage pregnancy increased by about 60%; premature death increased by up to 55%.

Scientists believe that in addition to financial and educational factors, environmental instability, lack of family cohesion and social pressure may be the underlying causes that increase these risks. And this impact is not limited to any particular country or culture.

However, the researchers stressed that the results should not be interpreted as a call for parents to maintain toxic or abusive marriages.

"We do not advocate continuing a dangerous relationship simply because of concerns about the negative impact on children. Every decision to divorce needs to be considered comprehensively, including the happiness and safety of the parents," said Professor Nolan Pope.

The new research follows a string of previous findings about the impact of divorce on children’s mental and physical health. A 2017 study found that children of divorced families were more likely to get sick more often as adults, while a 2014 study found that divorce can increase deviant behavior in children, especially in high-income families.

While divorce is not always inevitable, it is essential to help children navigate this transition safely and in a structured way, including emotional education, financial support, and a stable living environment.

MINH HAI

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tac-dong-cua-ly-hon-den-tre-em-nguy-co-tu-vong-som-cao-hon-55-20250614123114359.htm