We try to predict everything – from the weather to the stock market to the winner of the Super Bowl or the World Series. But can anyone accurately predict the chances that your marriage will succeed?
Dr. John Gottman, a widely respected marriage therapist, estimates that he predicts with 90% accuracy whether or not a newly married couple will go the distance. His secret isn’t a crystal ball. It’s extensive research that examines how couples communicate.
He says divorces aren’t the result of specific conflict – like money or the in-laws – but of how couples handle those disagreements. He identified four key behaviors that increase the chances that couples divorce:
- Criticism.
- Defensiveness.
- Stonewalling.
- Acting with contempt toward one another.
If you marriage suffers from poor communication, learn new communication skills that teach you how to solve difficult problems together.
For audio, articles, resources and more on this topic, click here.
You and your spouse are just a few skills away from creating a healthier relationship and improving your chances of enjoying a successful marriage.
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