Describes some of the major demographic trends in the field of marital disruption and provides an analysis of the evidence linking separation and divorce with a wide variety of physical and emotional disorders. Separation and divorce appear to be profoundly stressful life events. Hypotheses that have been advanced to account for the strong associations between marital disruption and emotional disorder are critically examined. Studies of problems faced by persons undergoing marital disruption and studies of remedial programs are evaluated, and major unresolved issues are discussed. (41/2 p ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1978 American Psychological Association.