Four hundred and sixteen women in rural Iowa were interviewed in the early 1990s, and again in 2001. All of them were mothers of adolescent children when the study began.

Fred Lorenz, who co-authored the report, said while the act of getting a divorce produced no immediate effects on physical health, it did have effects on mental health. Ten years later, those effects led to effects on physical health.

The study shows that from 1991 to 1994 the divorced women reported 7 percent higher levels of psychological distress than married women. They did not report any differences in physical illness at the time of first interview, but a decade later, reported 37 percent more physical illness.

The women in the study marked off illnesses from a list of 46 choices — ranging from the common cold and sore throat to heart conditions and cancer.

Lorenz said it appears there was a link between the higher number of physical illnesses and the different stresses associated with divorce, including financial problems, demotions, layoffs and parenting problems. He added that divorced women, especially in rural areas, have poor job opportunities and fewer support systems.

By 2001, 40 of the divorced women had remarried or were living with a partner, and the study found positive influences on the women’s health.