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Relationships

What research reveals about romantic relationships

Marriage and Health

Higher marital quality is consistently associated with better health outcomes[1]. The effect size is comparable to well-known health factors like diet.

Married individuals have a lower risk of developing dementia[2].

Myth: Being married automatically makes you healthier
Reality: It's relationship quality that matters, not marriage itself[3].

What Predicts Relationship Success

{?|Gottman's research found that stable couples maintain roughly a 5:1 ratio of positive to negative interactions during conflict - couples who divorce often have closer to 1:1 or worse}.

Perceptions of the relationship predict future relationship quality[4].

What Helps Struggling Relationships

Both emotionally focused and behavioral couples therapy are effective[5].

Warning: Gains may not last without ongoing effort

Therapy benefits often fade after 12 months[6]. Relationship improvement requires sustained commitment.

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References

  1. Robles TF, Slatcher RB, Trombello JM, McGinn MM (2014). Marital quality and health: a meta-analytic review. Psychological Bulletin. [DOI]
  2. Sommerlad A, Ruegger J, Singh-Manoux A, Lewis G, Livingston G (2018). Marriage and risk of dementia: systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. [DOI]
  3. Robles TF, Slatcher RB, Trombello JM, McGinn MM (2014). Marital quality and health: a meta-analytic review. Psychological Bulletin. [DOI]
  4. Gottman JM, Levenson RW (1999). What predicts change in marital interaction over time? A study of alternative models. Family Process. [DOI]
  5. Rathgeber M, Burkle J, Bohme K, Fluckiger C (2019). The Efficacy of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and Behavioral Couples Therapy: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy. [DOI]
  6. Rathgeber M, Burkle J, Bohme K, Fluckiger C (2019). The Efficacy of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and Behavioral Couples Therapy: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy. [DOI]