Wouldn’t it be great if you could predict whether or not you will stay married or divorced? It would help avoid so many problems and pain. Of course, there is not a crystal ball that can do this. However, there are several pitfalls to watch out for that can lead to a marital split.
Couples, watch out four factors that can predict divorce
1. The first is stonewalling. This is when you and your partner are having a discussion, and you shut them down. Some forms of stonewalling include:
- Tuning out your partner
- Pretending to be busy to avoid the conversation
- Turning away from your partner
2. The second divorce factor is defensiveness. Defensiveness happens when you blame your partner. You think that they are the cause of the problem. When you are defensive you are also closed-off from hearing your partner’s perspective and accepting their feedback.
3. Third, watch out for criticism. Criticism is different from voicing your concerns or sharing your perspective. In reality, you are attacking your partner with your words. It is not meant to create a productive dialogue. Rather, criticism only creates guilt and anger.
4. The fourth factor to watch out for is contempt. In fact, it is considered the number one reason why people get divorced. Contempt is expressed through:
- Sarcasm
- Calling your partner names
- Eye rolling
- Mimicking your partner
How to avoid these predictors of divorce
Luckily, there are ways that couples can avoid these pitfalls in any relationship. For one, practice how you speak to your partner. How you form your words and their delivery matters.
Next, don’t dwell on the past. Have an open discussion with your partner about what happened and come to a resolution. Then, try to move forward together.
Finally, be aware of your body language, especially your facial features.
Want to learn more about the predictors of divorce and how to stop them? You can read the full article here: The No.1 Predictor of Divorce Will Make You Rethink Everything
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