The number of individuals experiencing one or multiple union dissolutions in their lifetime is
increasing. The literature has shown significant interactions with health disorders, in response
to the crisis situation that affects the spouses. However, processes are still unclear, in particular
regarding the timing of the affection. This study explored whether different health disorders
are observed shortly after dissolution or are delayed, and whether they are short- or long-
lasting. We used data from the two waves (2006 and 2010) of the French Health and
Professional Lives Survey (SIP) among 8,349 individuals aged 25-64 years. Based on three
health disorders, we studied 1) their levels in relation to the retrospective histories of union
dissolutions; 2) health changes associated with a dissolution occurring between the two waves.
We found that individuals who experienced one or multiple union dissolutions had worse self-
rated health, more depressive symptoms and sleep disorders. The two latter were more related
with a recent dissolution than with distant ones, suggesting an immediate association, yet long-
lasting. Self-rated health was related with distant dissolutions only, suggesting a lagged,
however also long-lasting association. Experiencing union dissolution between the two waves
was linked to a higher probability of the onset of sleep disorders and depressive mood, and of
deterioration of self-rated health if it was not the first dissolution. Our study shows that union
dissolutions are highly correlated with different poor health measures, in the short and the long
run, depending on the health disorder, with cumulative and durable effects.