One shining example is that couples
who call each other names and yell have a higher rate of divorce. But
according to a University research study, there are patterns that
predict it as well.
A predictable pattern is when one spouse deals with a conflict calmly and rationally, and the other one simply withdraws.
"This
pattern seems to have a damaging effect on the longevity of marriage,"
said U-M researcher Kira Birditt, who is the lead author of the study
on marital conflict. "Spouses who deal with conflicts constructively may
view their partners' habit of withdrawing as a lack of investment in
the relationship rather than an attempt to cool down."
pattern seems to have a damaging effect on the longevity of marriage,"
said U-M researcher Kira Birditt, who is the lead author of the study
on marital conflict. "Spouses who deal with conflicts constructively may
view their partners' habit of withdrawing as a lack of investment in
the relationship rather than an attempt to cool down."
Those
couples who use constructive strategies to deal with disagreements have
lower divorce rates. This was found in a study of 373 couples over a
16-year period.
couples who use constructive strategies to deal with disagreements have
lower divorce rates. This was found in a study of 373 couples over a
16-year period.
Researchers
found 29 percent of husband and 21 percent of wives reported having no
conflicts at all in the first year of their marriage---1986.
Nonetheless, 46 percent of the couples had divorced by the 16th year of
the study in 2002.
found 29 percent of husband and 21 percent of wives reported having no
conflicts at all in the first year of their marriage---1986.
Nonetheless, 46 percent of the couples had divorced by the 16th year of
the study in 2002.
Husbands,
according to research findings, report using more constructive and less
destructive behaviors than wives. On the other hand, these behaviors
lessened over time, while husband's behaviors remain the same.
according to research findings, report using more constructive and less
destructive behaviors than wives. On the other hand, these behaviors
lessened over time, while husband's behaviors remain the same.
"The
problems that cause wives to withdraw or use destructive behaviors
early in a marriage may be resolved over time," Birditt said. "Or,
relationships and the quality of relationships may be more central to
women's lives than they are to men. As a result, over the course of
marriage, women may be more likely to recognize that withdrawing from
conflict or using destructive strategies is neither effective nor
beneficial to the overall well-being and stability of their marriages."
problems that cause wives to withdraw or use destructive behaviors
early in a marriage may be resolved over time," Birditt said. "Or,
relationships and the quality of relationships may be more central to
women's lives than they are to men. As a result, over the course of
marriage, women may be more likely to recognize that withdrawing from
conflict or using destructive strategies is neither effective nor
beneficial to the overall well-being and stability of their marriages."
Birditt
and her associates learned from the study black American couples were
more likely to withdraw during conflicts than were white couples,
although black couples were less likely to withdraw from conflict over
time.
and her associates learned from the study black American couples were
more likely to withdraw during conflicts than were white couples,
although black couples were less likely to withdraw from conflict over
time.
"We
hope this study will lead to additional research on the complex dynamics
of conflict between husbands and wives, and the potential explanations
for changes versus stability in conflict behaviors over time," Birditt
said.
hope this study will lead to additional research on the complex dynamics
of conflict between husbands and wives, and the potential explanations
for changes versus stability in conflict behaviors over time," Birditt
said.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Say something constructive. Negative remarks and name-calling are not allowed.