Artikel

Implicaties van echtscheiding op latere leeftijd

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Abstract

Effects of divorce at an advanced age - In many western countries with a strong increase in the percentage of elderly people, divorce is assuming serious proportions. The effects of the divorce boom in the past few years are now also being deeply felt among the elderly population. Chronological tables show an increase in the number of divorces and a decrease in the number of widowed people of the 55-64 age group. The present contribution deals with the effects of the state of being divorced at an advanced age upon various areas of life. As regards standards of living, divorcees are worse off than persons having other types of civil status. Divorcees are in a higher frequency dissatisfied with their financial situation. There is also a clear connection between the type of civil status and mortality. The lowest mortality rates are found among married people, the highest among divorcees. Causes of death which are closely linked with lifestyle and psychological temper score high among divorced people. Divorcees more often suffer from poor health or are increasingly physically unfit than persons of whatever other type of civil status. Besides stating the explanatory elements for these differences, an investigation is also made into the relationship between divorce, on the one hand, and social networks, intergenerational relationships - especially the mother-child and father-child relationships -, satisfaction about life and contacts with grandchildren, on the other hand.

How to Cite:

Dooghe, G., (1996) “Implicaties van echtscheiding op latere leeftijd”, Tijdschrift voor Sociale Wetenschappen 41(4), 406–428. doi: https://doi.org/10.21825/tvsw.95250