Is Divorce Contagious Within a Group of Friends or Family Members?

At one time or another, you might have felt that “everyone” around you was getting divorced. Though that might not have been literally true, most of us experience a period of time when an unusual number of friends or family members seem to be ending their marriages at the same time. Is it just a coincidence or is there evidence to support the idea that divorce is contagious? The answer might surprise you.

Professor Rose McDermott of Brown University led a study that examined thousands of people who lived in Framingham, Massachusetts. Drawing on data that had been collected on the community for decades, McDermott and her team found that the probability of someone ending their marriage increases 75 percent above the overall divorce rate if a friend or close family member is divorced.

Overall, 9 percent of the individuals reviewed in the study were divorced, but that figure increased to 16 percent for those with a divorced friend or family member. Among subjects with a “friend of a friend” who was divorced, the divorce rate was 12 percent. No effect on the viability of marriage was found when there was three degrees of separation between a subject and a divorced person.

There are many potential reasons why social contagion might exist when it comes to ending a marriage. Even today, some spouses are hesitant about the possible stigma associated with divorce. Once someone in their own circle has moved on from a failing relationship, it can make it easier for a person to make the same decision.

Another possible explanation is that unhappy spouses might have an overly negative view of the marriage dissolution process until someone they know geos through it. Today, most divorces are not the high-drama courtroom battles commonly found in movies and TV shows. Rather, with the right legal counsel by your side, it is very likely that you can resolve the terms of your divorce through negotiation or mediation.

Whether you’ve been listening to divorce stories from people close to you or not, you should learn about your options if you believe your marriage is no longer working. Bryan L. Salamone & Associates, P.C. is the Long Island divorce leader, having successfully represented thousands of spouses throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties. We focus on our clients’ well-being so that they can secure a favorable result and look to the future with confidence. To schedule a consultation with a dedicated attorney, please call 1.631.479.3839 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.