Communication, Trust, and the Willingness to Work on a Marriage

Communication, trust, willingness to work, and emotional climate mattered.

The study followed 40 individuals who later divorced and compared problems measured during the early years of marriage with later reports about what contributed to divorce.

Some relationship problems grow over time.

The researchers compared whether major problems were present from the beginning or emerged and worsened. Their findings supported an emergent-distress pattern for wives in the sample.

Pay attention to worsening patterns.

• Notice whether communication is becoming more hostile or avoidant.
• Protect quality time before disconnection becomes routine.
• Address declining trust early.
• Ask whether both partners remain willing to work on recurring problems.

The findings do not predict every divorce.

The divorced sample contained 40 individuals, including some from the same marriages. The study identifies patterns in that research sample rather than a universal rule for all couples.

Original research