Food Security and Health Outcomes following Gray Divorce

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Sociology
• Public Health

Background:

• Gray divorce (marital dissolution after age 50) is an increasing trend among older Americans.
• The long-term consequences of gray divorce on health and economic well-being are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the immediate and long-term effects of gray divorce on food security, depression, and disability in older adults.
• To identify potential gender disparities in the consequences of gray divorce.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Staggered Difference-in-Difference models.
• Analyzed a nationally representative longitudinal sample from the Health and Retirement Study (1998-2018).
• Focused on adults aged 50 years and older.

Main Results:

• Food insecurity and disability significantly increased in the year of gray divorce and remained elevated for at least six years.
• Older women experienced particularly adverse consequences for food security compared to men.
• No significant gender differences were observed for disability outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Gray divorce poses significant risks to the food security and health of older Americans, with women being disproportionately affected.
• The findings support the chronic strain model of gray divorce.
• Policy interventions, including nutrition assistance and reemployment support for women, may be necessary to mitigate negative impacts.