South Middlesex Times

An analysis conducted by Rutgers Health has revealed that individuals with a genetic predisposition for psychiatric disorders are more likely to experience divorce, even if they never develop these conditions. The study, which examined millions of marital histories in Sweden, was published in Clinical Psychological Science.

Researchers found that divorced individuals exhibited a higher genetic risk for conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders compared to those in stable marriages. This correlation persisted even when excluding individuals who showed signs of having developed the disorders their genes predisposed them toward.

Jessica Salvatore, lead author and associate professor of psychiatry at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, stated: "We found that individuals who are genetically predisposed to psychiatric disorders and other behavioral health conditions like alcohol use disorder and drug use disorder are at increased risk of experiencing a divorce."

The study analyzed anonymized data from 2.8 million Swedish residents born between 1950 and 1980, tracking their marital status through 2018. Although the database did not include genetic test data, researchers calculated genetic risk scores based on psychiatric diagnoses among extended family members.

The findings indicated that genetic predispositions were particularly strong among people who divorced multiple times. Those who divorced three or more times had genetic risk scores for depression and anxiety nearly matching those diagnosed with these conditions.

Additionally, women who divorced displayed higher genetic risk scores for all disorders compared to men. People with stable second marriages had lower genetic risk scores than those who either divorced again or never remarried.

Salvatore noted: "These genetic predispositions influence major life outcomes for us in a multitude of ways, and oftentimes people don't think about the association that genetic predispositions might have on a life outcome like divorce."

The research examined patterns for ten psychiatric conditions including major depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anorexia nervosa, alcohol use disorder, drug use disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and autism spectrum disorder. Genetic risks were calculated by analyzing diagnoses among participants' first- through fifth-degree relatives.

Findings suggest that genetics may affect divorce risk through various pathways. Individuals with higher genetic risk scores could exhibit traits such as impulsivity or emotional instability affecting relationships despite not developing any diagnosed condition. These predispositions might also impact partner selection or responses to relationship stress.

Marriage was associated with lower levels of these genetic risks; people in stable marriages had lower genetic risk scores across all disorders compared to both divorced and never-married individuals.

The researchers believe their findings provide comprehensive evidence regarding how psychiatric disorder-related genetic predispositions may influence marital outcomes. Understanding these connections could help identify couples at higher risk and guide interventions supporting relationship stability.

"Beyond documenting the nature of these associations," Salvatore added, "there are a few practical implications... carrying genetic predispositions for these disorders can be destabilizing for a relationship."

Coauthors include Henrik Ohlsson, Jan Sundquist and Kristina Sundquist from Lund University in Sweden along with Kenneth S. Kendler from the Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics at Virginia Commonwealth University.