Divorce 3rd most stressful 'life challenge'

Getting divorced is the third most stressful challenge you will face in your life, according to new research.

A study conducted by DDI, a human resources consulting firm, found that only getting promoted and coping with bereavement were more difficult to cope with than the end of a marriage.

Of the 385 people questioned, 11.4 per cent said that "dealing with divorce" was life's third most stressful event and coming to terms with the loss of a loved one was ranked as the second most stressful event (14.8 per cent).

However, "making a transition at work" was considered by 19 per cent of participants as the most stressful thing they would ever have to cope with.

Matt Paese, DDI's vice president of succession management, said: "Promotion means finding new ways of being successful - and walking away from the old ways that defined success.

"A leader who tries to be the same leader across all levels is not going to be successful at all."

In total, nine life challenges were recognised by the study, with marriage listed as the eighth most stressful (4.7 per cent).