Divorce is a complex and emotional experience and not a “fuzzy feeling” topic. No one wants to think about the possibility of their marriage ending in separation or divorce. However, understanding the potential factors that may contribute to a marital breakdown can help you work to strengthen your relationship and avoid potential pitfalls. In this episode, you will discover the 5 divorce-predicting factors you must watch out for.
In This Episode, You’ll Hear About The Following:
- Why a “harsh start-up” is a factor that predicts divorce
- Why the first three minutes of your interaction with your spouse are so important
- The Four Horsemen and why they can be so destructive in your marriage
- Why contempt is the highest predictor of divorce
- How to be proactive in seeking help for your relationship so that the warning signs don’t turn into major issues.
Resources Mentioned In This EPisode:
- The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by Dr. John Gottman
- 4 Simple Ways To Reconnect With Your Spouse When You Are Feeling Disconnected
- How To Repair Your Relationship After A Big Fight
- How To Fight With Your Spouse Without Ruining Your Marriage
- A Conflict-Free Marriage Is Not The Goal
Quotes And Tweets:
- “A harsh start-up can lead to disconnection.” @imbetweenshow
- “96% of the time, you can predict the outcome of a conversation based on the first three minutes of a couple’s interaction.” @imbetweenshow
- “These four horsemen show up in a marriage in the following order: criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling.” @imbetweenshow
- “Criticism is labeling someone and making it about their character rather than about the behaviour you’d like them to change.” @imbetweenshow
- “The end of a marriage can be predicted long before the divorce papers are signed.” @imbetweenshow
- “Taking steps to address the issues in your relationship can help to strengthen your bond and improve your chances of a healthy and long-lasting marriage.” @imbetweenshow
Questions For Personal Reflection:
- Do you see any of these divorce-predicting factors in your marriage?
- Are there any patterns in the way that you resolve conflict?
- How do you tend to view the challenges you’ve faced with your spouse?
Discussion Prompts For You As A Couple:
- How would you describe the level of friendship between us?
- How can we be more proactive in seeking help for our relationship, so that the warning signs don’t turn into major issues?
