3 Things That Predict Divorce, According to Science

Often times when we reflect back on a past relationship, it’s easy for us to spot all of the things that went wrong, along with the reasons as to why it didn’t work out. It feels as if you were just able to see these signs earlier on, you may have been able to salvage the relationship or at least end it before it got too serious.

According to new reports from social scientists, they have been able to document different behaviors and signs which point towards the end of a relationship.

When people talk about signs of a relationship failing they point out the very obvious signs such as a spouse cheating or physical abuse. What if you were able to see some of the less visible signs of a relationship headed for failure?

These 3 signs that predict that your relationship may be doomed were designed to help you see warning signs much earlier.

You Were over 32 When You Got Married

Regardless of what statistics show, the best time for marriage is whenever you and your partner feel ready—don’t let this study change your mind.

However, research from Nicholas Wolfinger, a professor at the University of Utah, suggests that couples who marry in their mid-30s or later are at a greater risk for divorce than those in their late 20s. After the age of 32, the odds of a divorce increase by about 5% annually.

Not Finishing High School

When it comes to the benefits of finishing high school, I’m sure many of you never thought that a more stable marriage was one of them.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the higher level of education completed, the less likely it is for your relationship to end in divorce. Marriages of those who completed college have an approximate 30% divorce rate, while marriages of those who didn’t complete high school spike up to higher than 50%.

The Four Relationship Behaviors

John Gottman, a psychologist at the University of Washington and the founder of the Gottman Institute has designed a set of behaviors that he titles “the four horsemen of the apocalypse”. These behaviors have been successful at predicting which marriages would ultimately end in divorce up to 93% of the time!

The four behaviors are:

1. Contempt – Seeing your partner as someone who is beneath you instead of your equal.

2. Criticism – Turning an unattractive behavior into a character trait.

3. Defensiveness – Playing the victim regardless of the reason.

4. Stonewalling – Blocking off conversation, especially during serious talks.

If you’re noticing these signs, we’d love to guide you through the process. Call (516) 773-8300 now for a free consultation!