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Is your relationship headed for divorce?

On Behalf of | Feb 8, 2020 | Family Law |

All relationships go through trying times, and in some moments, it may seem like the marriage is not going to last. However, many couples work things out and the relationships get back on track. 

There are signs, however, that indicate divorce is more probable. Some of these are according to certain statistics, and others are from research done by marriage experts. 

Signs According to Statistics 

Good Housekeeping discusses some factors that tend to increase the risk of divorce. One is if parents of either spouse have gone through a divorce, which increases divorce likelihood by 40%. Age also makes a difference. The chances of divorce increase if the couple marries too young or if they marry after the age of 32. 

Money is a big issue in many marriages, and if one spends frivolously and builds up debt, chances of divorce increase by 45%. Being pregnant during the wedding or living together before marriage both increase the chances of divorce. Some divorce stats seem a bit strange. Examples include if the bride had pre-wedding jitters, the groom did not smile in childhood pictures or if the couple lives in Maine or Nevada. 

Signs According to Marriage Therapists 

Marriage therapists work with couples all the time, and PsychCentral outlines the four main divorce predictors they agree upon. 

  • Contempt – This is nonverbal behavior that attacks the other partner’s self-worth. Examples include using hostile humor, rolling the eyes, mocking the other and calling the partner names. 
  • Defensiveness – Examples include whining, acting like the victim, making excuses and counter complaining. 
  • Criticism – This is attacking a spouse’s character or personality with the intention of making him or her wrong. 
  • Stonewalling – This is withdrawing, physically or emotionally, from a tough conversation. The intent may be to avoid conflict, but the other sees it as disapproval, a disconnection or smugness. 

Marriage experts say that it is important to be able to recognize these behaviors and make changes to avoid divorce. 

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