Friend or foe? Postdivorce hostility among recently divorced individuals

Abstract

High levels of hostility often occur during and postdivorce and may significantly affect the quality of life, parent-child relationships, and social functioning of divorcees. Moreover, hostility may predict aggressive and violent behavior. This study sought to (a) compare average general hostility levels of a large sample of Danish divorcees to the norms of the general adult Danish population, (b) compare general hostility levels between male and female divorcees, and (c) investigate the explanatory value of various sociodemographic and divorce-related factors on postdivorce general hostility and whether these factors differ across gender. Crosssectional baseline data (N = 1,856) from a larger randomized controlled trial study was used in this study. Normative data from a general sample of Danish adults (N = 2,040) was used for comparisons of hostility levels between our study sample and the Danish background population. This study found that male and female divorcees did not report significantly different hostility levels. However, participants reported significantly higher hostility levels postdivorce than the comparative Danish norm sample. Significant predictors of postdivorce hostility were lower age, lower educational level, infidelity as a reason for divorce, higher degree of postdivorce conflict, worse communication with the former spouse, the former spouse as the initiator of the divorce, and new partner status with neither divorcees having a new partner, or only the former spouse having a new partner. The predictive strength of the factors did not differ across gender. The findings may be especially relevant for interventions targeting problematic outcomes postdivorce (e.g., preventing aggressive behavior).

Examining gender effects in postdivorce adjustment trajectories over the first year after divorce in Denmark.

“…For divorcees, research consistently demonstrates that divorce is experienced as a major prolonged stressor, with the psychological impact similar to that of the death of a loved one or diagnosis of major life-threatening illness (Cohen et al, 2016; Lorenz et al, 2006). Research also shows that exposure to a stressful life event like divorce is associated with an increased risk of illness and adverse effects on physical and mental health (Budtz-Lilly et al, 2015; Cipric et al, 2020; Cohen et al, 1997; Danese & McEwen, 2012; Hald, Ciprić, Øverup, et al, 2020; Hald, Ciprić, Sander, et al, 2020; Kjeld et al, 2020; Nielsen et al, 2014; Øverup et al, 2020; Sander et al, 2020; Strizzi et al, 2021; Sutin et al, 2010).…”

Temporal Associations Between Depression and Hostility in the Context of a Divorce Intervention

“…Of these outcomes, depression and hostility may be particularly noteworthy. Research suggests that nearly 50% of divorcees experience clinical or sub-clinical levels of depression (Hald et al, 2020b) and roughly 20% of divorcees endorse problematic levels of hostility (Kjeld et al, 2020) immediately following their divorce. In the current article, we focus on general hostility as opposed to ex-spouse specific hostility.…”

“…Divorcees often have to adjust to new living circumstances (Fabricius & Luecken, 2007), may experience lifestyle and identity changes as they transition from married to divorced, and often face economic decline or difficulties post-divorce (Amato, 2000). Divorce also carries with it complex negative emotional experiences, such as increased stress and depression (Breslau et al, 2011; Hald et al, 2020b; Nielsen et al, 2008; Strizzi et al, 2021a), greater loneliness, feelings of grief (Sbarra & Emery, 2013), and higher levels of hostility (Kjeld et al, 2020; Rodrigues et al, 2006). To reduce these negative emotional outcomes, divorce interventions have been crafted and have generally been found to be effective (Bowers et al, 2011; Fackrell et al, 2011; Geasler & Blaisure, 1998; Hald et al, 2020a).…”

The future of divorce support: Is “digital” enough in presence of conflict?

“…Broadly consistent with most developed nations, nearly 40%–45% of marriages in Denmark end in divorce (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016 ; European Commission, 2015 ; Statistics Denmark‐Divorce, 2020 ). Divorce has been linked to a number of negative mental and physical health outcomes for the individuals involved (Bracke et al, 2010 ; Corcoran & Nagar, 2010 ; Hald, Ciprić, Sander, et al, 2020 ; Kjeld et al, 2020 ; Nielsen et al, 2014 ; Sander, Strizzi, et al, 2020 ; Sbarra, 2015 ; Strizzi et al, 2021 ; Walid & Zaytseva, 2011 ). The quality of the divorcees' relationship during divorce is suggested to be a critical moderator of postdivorce adjustment (Amato, 2010 ).…”