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Study shows poor communication, negativity are factors in divorce

On Behalf of | Apr 29, 2012 | High-Asset Divorce

Few couples in Ohio think that their marriages will end in divorce. People often take the leap into the long-term commitment imagining that it will last a lifetime. Sometimes, though, the dream of a lifelong marriage fades, and a couple finds that they would be happier seeking a divorce.

Couples who report being satisfied with the first four years of marriage were the subjects of a recent study. A group of 136 couples who initially reported themselves as being very satisfied with their marriage were followed over a decade. The participants were periodically interviewed, and the divorce rate was logged.

The results indicated that couples whose marriages ended in divorce shared similar behavior patterns, in contrast to other participants whose marriages did not end in divorce. These patterns included a failure to communicate well with one another and the tendency to display negative emotions in the context of the relationship. Additionally, the study indicated that when one spouse was more likely to discourage the other from expressing thoughts and feelings, a divorce was more likely.

The truth is that there are many reasons that Ohio couples divorce. Job loss, infidelity and emotional issues are just a few of the factors that can lead to a couple deciding to dissolve their marriage. Once an Ohio couple decides to file for dissolution, there are many issues to consider. These include dividing the assets of a marriage, and addressing such issues as child custody, child support and sometimes spousal support.

It may be true that the same emotional behaviors that lead to the predictions for divorce also influence any potential negotiations that may take place at the end of a marriage. The study may prove helpful to couples in identifying relationship issues to confront early on in a marriage, but once a decision to divorce is made, keeping the lines of communication open while working to achieve an equitable resolution of outstanding issues may be well worth it.

Source: The Atlantic, “What Kinds of Happy Couples Eventually Get Divorced?” Alice G. Walton, April 16, 2012

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