How does marital separation affect the health of the individuals involved?

Abstract

Marital separation and the health of the individuals involved as perceived by professionals. This study examines marital separation and the health of the individuals involved as perceived by professionals. The purpose of this study examines the emotional and mental health of the individuals who experience a marital breakdown. It will concern the separating couple and a very brief description of their respective children. The research question will be answered through qualitative research and the approach used is that of a thematic analysis. Semi structured interviews were conducted with three professionals namely a family lawyer, a psychologist and a psychotherapist to gain further perspective of their experiences when working with the vulnerable individuals’. Using the thematic analysis approach, it was found that marital separation can lead to various health stressors on the individual. Other external contributors that added a heightened level of stress on the respective individual were also noted. One of the conclusions of this study is that if the separating couple agree to live independent lives at the initial stages of separation, they then tend to function mentally and physically better.