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Gender Differences in the Consequences of Divorce: A Multiple-Outcome Comparison of Former Spouses

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  • Thomas Leopold

Abstract

This study examined gender differences in the consequences of divorce for multiple measures of psychological, economic, and domestic well-being. I used household panel data from the German SOEP, retaining the link between initially married couples (N = 755) to compare both spouses over a period of up to four years before and after divorce. Findings showed that men were more vulnerable to short-term declines in subjective measures of well-being, whereas women experienced longer-term disadvantages in objective economic status. Taken together, these results suggest that women’s disproportionate income strain is chronic, whereas men’s disproportionate psychological and domestic strain is not.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas Leopold, 2016. "Gender Differences in the Consequences of Divorce: A Multiple-Outcome Comparison of Former Spouses," SOEPpapers on Multidisciplinary Panel Data Research 841, DIW Berlin, The German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP).
    • Handle: RePEc:diw:diwsop:diw_sp841
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    References listed on IDEAS

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