This paper reviews research on the antecedents and the consequences of divorce for adults. Divorce is discussed as part of a continuum of marital instability. Research on historical and sociological causes of divorce and theoretical models for the study of divorce are reviewed. The changes in health status and the role redefinitions experienced by the divorced are discussed. The contribution of unmodifiable and modifiable factors in easing adjustment to divorce is examined. The paper concludes with a discussion of issues relating to sampling and measurement that need to be addressed in future research in order to improve and expand upon previous studies.