Lack of Communication in a Relationship Sometimes Lead to Divorce according to Studies

Sylvia Smith

 / 

Lack of Communication in a Relationship Sometimes Lead to Divorce according to Studies

Are you aware of the fact that a lack of communication in a relationship can sometimes lead to divorce?

Nobody goes into a new marriage hoping that it will fail. Yet, even in 2019, many marriages are still ending in divorce. Why?

When you are feeling upset, angry, or have something on your mind, do you find it easy to come to your partner with your problems? The answer should undoubtedly be yes, yet one of the biggest culprits of a failed marriage is the lack of relationship communication
Communication is how couples express their feelings, deepen their marital friendship, build a rapport, and solve problems together. Without these essential skills, couples will be snowballing toward separation.

Here are some top studies that prove poor relationship communication can lead to divorce and what you can do about it.

1. Not Feeling Understood in your Relationship

Is communication really everything in marriage? In short, the answer is yes. One 2016 study tried to disprove this theory by checking in with newlywed couples four times over 36 months where their overall happiness and communication skills were tested.

The results proved that “more satisfied couples communicate more positively” – AKA, the happiest couples are the ones who know how to communicate.

When you can communicate with your spouse, you feel understood in your relationship. Your emotions are validated, respected, and cared for by your partner.

A lack of communication breeds distrust, self-doubt, and insecurity, which can be damaging to your bond.

A relationship cannot last if this essential element of relationship communication is missing in a marriage.

A lack of communication in a relationship can lead to divorce.

2. Inability to Fight Fair

When relationship communication falters, couples’ resort to unhealthy tactics to get their way during an argument.

Examples of unhealthy communication skills are as follows –

Using the ‘silent treatment’ to get your way or hurt your spouse
Interrupting your spouse when they are trying to speak to you
Playing on your phone during important discussions
Emotionally shutting off or being overly defensive when conversation topics become serious
Purposely belittling or disrespecting your spouse
Frequently going to bed angry
Having screaming matches with one another
Using violence (partner assault or throwing things across the room) as an outlet for frustration

Instead of letting these unhealthy behaviors crowd your ability to communicate, take a deep breath and refocus your intentions.
Here are some helpful tips to have better communication –

Be willing to open up and talk about your feelings.
Give your partner your undivided attention
Stay calm and collected and try hard to listen to your partner’s point of view
Have empathy
Look for ways to compromise
Say I’m sorry

Look at disagreements as an opportunity, rather than a hindrance.
See this as a chance to come together as a team and solve a problem together, instead of using it as an excuse to yell.

3. No Communication = Bad Sex Life

Sex isn’t everything in a marriage, but it is a pretty significant part of your relationship. It determines how close, trusting, and happy you will be together.

Communication also plays a key role in how happy you are and how satisfying your sex life is going to be. Research proves that sexual communication is positively associated with sexual satisfaction and increased orgasm frequency in women.

The study also observes that both men and women were happier in general when they were able to speak to one another openly.

This is an important fact, as marital satisfaction is significantly associated with sexual satisfaction.

When we intimate with a partner, our bodies release a hormone called oxytocin. This “love drug” is responsible for emotional bonding with a partner as well as a significant reduction in stress. Being regularly intimate with a spouse also boosts a couple’s love and liking for one another.

4. Being Unable to Talk about Money

Research regarding common reasons for marital conflict found that out of 748 instances of conflict between 100 couples, money was the most intense and recurring topic couples fought about.

Money may not be the most pleasant topic to bring up, but couples need to learn to discuss their finances.

Be open and honest about money. How much money are you making? Do you intend to pool your money together or keep separate bank accounts? What kind of debt have you brought into your marriage?

Knowing the answers to these questions will reveal how you will go about paying for household bills and getting out of debt.

Discuss goals together.

Do you want to buy a house, car, go back to school, travel, or start a family together? If so, you need to talk about how you plan to save and budget for these things.

5. Couples Drift Apart

In a study of 886 divorcing couples, 55 percent cited growing apart as a significant factor in their decision to separate. A whopping 53 percent cites the inability to communicate as another common reason for divorce.

This study highlights the importance of being able to speak openly with your spouse, just as you would with a friend.

If you are not growing apart in your relationship, odds are you are drifting apart. The healthiest relationships are the ones where couples strike a delicate balance between being married partners and best friends. Think about it. When you are friends with your spouse you share the same interests,

Think about the best qualities of your best friend. Odds are they are honest, accepting, non-judgmental, respectful, loyal, and fun to be around. They grow together.

Couples should be able to hang out together as friends just as easily as they could share a romantic evening.

How to Boost Relationship Communication

Couples who want to save their marriage from divorce do well to make an effort toward healthier communications.

Taking an online marriage course can help couples learn about the importance of relationship communication. And since we all think and express ourselves differently, the course also teaches different communication techniques you can practice with your spouse.

Weekly or monthly date nights have also proven to boost a couple’s communication skills, boost sexual activity, and prevent marital boredom.

These studies prove that relationship communication is essential to a happy marriage. Without the ability to understand one another, fight fair, grow together, and feel secure in the relationship, many couples will be heading down the road to divorce.

Taking an online marriage course can strengthen a couple’s communication skills and teach them how to empathize with one another.

Boost up your communication because a lack of communication in a relationship can lead to divorce.

You May Also Like:

Lack of Communication in a Relationship Sometimes Lead to Divorce according to Studies

— Share —

,

— About the Author —

Sylvia Smith

Sylvia Smith is a writer who likes to write about relationships and how couples can revitalize their love lives in and out of the bedroom. She is currently associated with Marriage.com. She is a big believer in living consciously and encourages couples to adopt its principles in their relationships. By taking purposeful and intentional action, Sylvia feels any relationship or marriage can be transformed and truly enjoyed.

Leave a Reply

Up Next

10 Tips For Re-Entering The Workforce As A Single Mother

Re-Entering The Workforce As A Single Mother: Helpful Tips

Re-entering the workforce as a single mother can be overwhelming and scary. It’s not a small decision to make, you have many things on your plate to consider— who will watch your kids, how will you handle your finances, how can everything fit into one day?

Re-entering the workforce could also be good for both yourself and your family. It means earning money, meeting new people, and doing something for yourself as well.

This article is here to support you through this major move of re-entering the workforce as a single mother. We’ll share ten tips for making it easier on yourself when going back to work as a single parent.

Just take it one step at a time – You’ve got this!

Up Next

Dating As A Single Parent: 5 Helpful Tips To Restart Your Romantic Life!

Dating As A Single Parent: Helpful Tips You Should Know!

One thing that I have learned is that when you are dating as a single parent, it pays to be open and honest.

Not only does dating as a single parent provide an opportunity for me as a single mother to grow, but also for my child. It gives me the chance to show them what a healthy marriage is really about.

You have too much on your plate if you are a single parent. From taking your child to school to looking after their physical and mental health. We have so much stuff going on and barely any time at all for ourselves, let alone dating as a single parent!

Some important things I have learned as I try to find my groove in my social and dating life as a parent include these ones which could play out greatly in your romantic and dating life.

These helpful t

Up Next

Happily Never After? 10 Alarming Signs Your Marriage is Over

Signs Your Marriage is Over: Happily Never After?

Do you feel like your relationship is on the rocks? Have you ever asked yourself the question “Should I get a divorce?”. Sometimes it can be a challenge to see or accept the signs your marriage has run it’s course.

Maybe you’ve felt that spark dimming or noticed things just aren’t the same anymore. Maybe your spouse feels like a stranger or maybe you feel like you are living more as roommates than husband-wife.

Today we are going to dive into some major and subtle signs your marriage is over. If you have ever questioned yourself about when to end a marriage or how to know your marriage is over, then these signs of divorce might be able to answer that.

Related:

Up Next

When You Outgrow Love: What Is Grey Divorce And How To Thrive After

What Is Grey Divorce and How to Redefine Your Story

Divorce is never an easy decision to make. But sometimes life happens and you have to do the unimaginable. Grey divorce is one such experience that can feel like an unthinkable decision, yet, you know you just need to take the step. But what is grey divorce?

In life, at a certain stage we may feel that it is absolutely crucial that we start over, not only to survive but also to thrive. It becomes necessary that we step into the unknown regardless how scary or irrational it may sound. And the same goes for a marriage. 

Even if you may have shared a lifetime together and created lasting memories and experiences, a divorce may be the only option left for a happier, healthier and better life. That’s the reality for an increasing number of couples who find themselves in the realm of “grey divorce.” 

Up Next

7 Reasons People Regret Divorce: Understanding The Post-Divorce Journey

Reasons People Regret Divorce: The Post-Divorce Journey

There are many people who feel like they got a new lease of life after getting divorced, but there are also people who end up regretting divorce. But, why do some people regret getting a divorce? This article is going to focus on some of the reasons people regret divorce and what goes through their minds.

KEY POINTS

While divorce can be a healthy option for some people, others might experience pain and regret.

It’s not uncommon to underestimate the effects that divorce will have in various areas of life.

Therapy, communication, and t

Up Next

7 Emotions You May Feel When You Decide To Divorce

When You Decide To Divorce: Unexpected Emotions You Feel

Making the decision to divorce is one of the hardest decisions to make. When you decide to divorce your spouse, you may feel a ton of emotions that you did not expect at all. This article is going to talk about those feelings and emotions so that if ever you make the decision to divorce, you know what to expect.

KEY POINTS

The decision to divorce is a personal and deeply emotional experience.

There is a common misperception that the person who decides to divorce doesn’t suffer from the decision.

The emotional journey is unique to each individual, and there are no right or wrong ways to feel.

Up Next

10 Honest Reactions Of Children To Divorce

Honest Reactions Of Children To Divorce

When two people divorce, we think about how they might be feeling about the breakdown of their marriage. What about the reactions of children to divorce? How does a child cope with divorce? How do children react to divorce? Let’s find out!

When your children experience your divorce, their reactions will vary depending on their ages, personalities, family dynamics, and the circumstances of the divorce. Some children will experience immediate distress, while others may not show signs of distress until later. Some children internalize their emotions and appear more resilient than they are.

However, the biggest factor affecting their reactions is the level of conflict between you and your spouse. Even if your children don’t witness conflict, they can sense it, even in the way that you hug them.

— Follow Us —