A new study suggests that women find it harder than men to adjust emotionally to the breakdown of a relationship later in life.

The research looked at 200,000 people aged 50 to 70 in Finland.

While both sexes increased their use of anti-depressants in the run-up to and immediately after a divorce, break-up, or bereavement, women’s use of these drugs was greater than men’s.

While finding a new partner was associated with a slight reduction in anti-depressant use in both sexes, it was particularly short-lived in women.

More men than women found a new partner after divorce or bereavement.