To measure the long-term life changes before and after a divorce the author used data from an 18-year study of 30,000 Germans that examined their reactions. The surveys were conducted yearly using face-to-face interviews and respondents participated in at least one of the 18 waves. The author found that neither age nor sex moderated the effects of divorce on happiness and satisfaction. "Researchers, clinicians, and friends and family members of persons who have experienced such events should not assume that time naturally heals all wounds," Dr. Lucas concludes. "Instead, some people may never adapt to some life events, at least not without intervention."
This study is published in the December issue of Psychological Science. Media wishing to receive a PDF of this article please contact journalnews@bos.blackwellpublishing.net
The flagship journal of the American Psychological Society, Psychological Science publishes authoritative articles of interest across all of psychological science, including brain and behavior, clinical science, cognition, learning and memory, social psychology, and developmental psychology.
Richard Lucas is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at Michigan State University. He conducts research on the causes of stability and change in happiness and subjective well-being and has published a number of papers on how people adapt to major life events. Dr. Lucas is available for media questions and interviews.
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Psychological Science