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Adolescents whose parents divorce are more likely to suffer from various health problems including headaches, insomnia, tension, dizziness and a loss of appetite according to a study undertaken at the University of Stockholm.

Researchers utilised data concerning 150,000 12 to 15-year olds, collected as part of a national classroom survey, analysing this in order to determine if children were more likely to suffer from psychosomatic problems as a result of certain types of living arrangement.

The children who participated in the study were quizzed on their living arrangements and then categorised as belonging to one of three groups: those who lived with only one parent, those who lived with both parents (joint custody) and those who lived with both parents as part of a traditional nuclear family. Following this, researchers observed the relationship between these childrens’ living arrangements and the likelihood of them suffering from a psychosomatic problem such as insomnia, headaches, stomach problems, sadness, and decreased appetite.

Once the figures had been collated, it was found that children who only lived with one parent where the most likely to suffer from some kind of some psychosomatic condition whilst those who lived with both parents in a traditional nuclear family where the least likely to report such problems.

Children who were living with both parents suffered fewer problems than those living with only one parent, but were more likely to report psychosomatic problems than those living with both parents in the same home.

Researchers noted that psychosomatic symptoms are directly related to stress and that their study shows that whilst living in two separate households is clearly stressful for children, it would appear to be less harmful than living with one parent only.