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nvoluntary childlessness may increase the likelihood of early death, the
Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health reports.
The Danish study looked at more than 21,000 couples seeking IVF treatment.
They found women who were unsuccessful in having a child were four times more
likely to die prematurely than women who had been mothers.
Critics stress that the risk of early death was low - with just 316 people in
total dying over the 11 year study.
The authors of the paper also point out that their research suggests a link
between childlessness and premature death and not a cause. They wrote: "Mindful
that association is not the same thing as causation, our results suggest that
the mortality rates are higher in the childless."
The researchers based their findings on data obtained from various population
registers in Denmark on births, deaths and IVF procedures from 1994 to 2005.
During this time 21,276 childless couples registered for IVF treatment, 15,149
children were born and a total of 96 women and 220 men died.
Four times more likely
After analysis, the results suggested having a child cut the risk of early
death, particularly among women.
Start Quote
You fight for them. people hang on - it shows the power of relationships.
Dr Helen Nightingale Clinical psychologist
Childless women were four times more likely to die early from circulatory
disease, cancers, and accidents than those with children- and men were about
twice as likely.
Critics stress it is hard to determine the underlying cause of the results
seen.
Ingrid Collins, a consultant psychologist, said: "This is a very specific
situation of people who are trying to have children - the study's findings
cannot be used to generalise across the whole general population.
"People having IVF tend to be desperate for a child, if they are unsuccessful
they may be depressed- it may even be this rather than childlessness that is
playing a part. One can only guess.
"It is complicated and many factors play a part in death rates- people with
deep spiritual belief, being married, having a higher social class - these can
all help in living longer."
People 'hang on'
Others point out that a family can psychologically help and support those that
are dying.
Dr Helen Nightingale, a clinical psychologist, said: "Being childless without a
doubt reduces your fight for life.
"If you draw on cancer as an example - the support of a family, the focus on
your children - your grandchildren and the desire to watch how they will turn
out drives your psychological resistance to survive.
"You fight for them, people hang on - it shows the power of relationships."