For the study, Swedish researchers examined data across private businesses with at least 100 employees to analyze how promotions affect the probability of divorce among heterosexual men and women. When comparing the relationship trajectories of candidates who won or lost a bid for a high-level position, the baseline probability of divorce for women doubled, but for men it didn’t.
The same is true for women elected to a public office. The trend was also observed among female physicians, members of law enforcement and clergy who achieved major promotions, according to a Business Insider article on the study.
Part of the reason could be post-promotion tension and conflict that sometimes arises when couples experience a significant shift in roles. The shift can create problems, like fewer hours spent together or a change in who takes care of what in the home.
“It is still seen as quite unusual for men to be the main supportive spouse in someone else’s career,” study author Johanna Rickne, PhD, told BBC. Dr. Rickne explained when a woman gets a major promotion, husbands often find the transition more difficult than their wives. The labor market is also behind when it comes to gender equality, and “this norm changing is pretty far off,” she said.
More articles on leadership and management:
Former hospital CEO: To make progress on healthcare, let’s change the debate
Arkansas Medicaid work rules rejected by appeals court
Hospitals, industry heavyweights denounce Medicaid reporting proposal
At Becker's 4th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, taking place November 2–5 in Chicago, more than 1,500 hospital and health system executives tackle decisions that determine whether organizations thrive or merely survive: protecting margins under cost pressure, choosing where to grow, renegotiating payer relationships, stabilizing the workforce and proving real ROI on technology. This is where leaders work through them together, face-to-face. Apply for complimentary registration now.
