The QoL SALAD Study: Quality of Life After Divorce in 717 Men

The Quality of Life Survey About Life After Divorce (QoL SALAD Study) is an observational study of 717 divorcing and divorced men conducted by Rene Garcia through Men’s Divorce Coaching. The research examines how men recover after divorce and which parts of post-divorce life are associated with better or worse quality of life.

What the QoL SALAD Study Examines

The study examines time since separation, exercise, dating, finances, living arrangements, acceptance of divorce, identity and father-child relationships. Its purpose is to identify patterns in men’s recovery after divorce and generate questions that warrant further research.

Key Findings

Across the study, the average quality-of-life score was 61. Men who did not exercise averaged 55, while men who exercised five times per week averaged 68. Fathers who reported that their relationship with their children worsened averaged 56, compared with 66 among fathers who reported improvement.

Among fathers separated for at least one year, 58% reported that their relationship with their children had somewhat or significantly improved after separation, 20% reported that it had worsened, and the remaining 22% reported that it was about the same or they were unsure.

In a further father-child analysis, among fathers separated for at least one year who were still trying to reconcile with their ex, 23% reported an improved relationship with their children and 56% reported a worse relationship. Among fathers who described themselves as thriving after divorce, 71% reported improvement and 15% reported worsening.

How to Interpret the Findings

The QoL SALAD Study is observational. Its findings describe associations in the surveyed population and do not establish causation. Some sub-analyses, including the father-child relationship analysis, were not specifically powered to establish statistical causation and should be interpreted as findings that warrant additional study.

About the Research

Data collection began in 2021 and continued over four years. The study was created to address a practical problem: there is limited research focused specifically on how men rebuild their quality of life during and after divorce. The QoL SALAD Study is intended to contribute original observational data to that discussion.

Researcher and publisher: Rene Garcia, Men’s Divorce Coaching. Study name: Quality of Life Survey About Life After Divorce (QoL SALAD Study). Sample: 717 divorcing and divorced men. Design: observational.