Are problems that contribute to divorce present at the start of marriage, or do they emerge over time?

Williamson, Hannah C.; Nguyen, Teresa P.; Bradbury, Thomas N.; Karney, Benjamin R.

doi:10.1177/0265407515617705

Cited by 15 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Again, this is consistent with the enduring dynamics model, which hypothesizes that distress and eventual dissolution results from problems that were evident at the start of marriage. Notably, husbands’ trajectory groups did not significantly differ in their rates of divorce, consistent with past research which has found that wives’ behaviors and cognitions are more strongly linked to divorce than husbands’ (e.g., Williamson, Nguyen, Bradbury, & Karney, 2016).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

The development of communication behavior over the newlywed years.

Williamson¹

2021

Journal of Family Psychology

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Communication behavior occupies a fundamental role in basic and applied relationship science, yet we know very little about how this important process develops over time, and how the natural developmental process is linked with relationship outcomes. The present study aims to examine the development of naturally occurring trajectories of couple communication behavior across three domains, examined concurrently; positive affect, negative affect, and effective problem solving. A large sample of newlywed couples recruited from low-income neighborhoods (N = 431) completed observational discussion tasks at 4 time points, spanning 2.5 years, and provided data on marital status 4.5 years into marriage. Results from multivariate group-based trajectory modeling indicate that three groups of couples can be distinguished, with the best communicators demonstrating high levels of positivity and effectiveness and low levels of negativity, the worst communicators demonstrating low levels of positivity and effectiveness and high levels of negativity, and the middle group demonstrating low levels of all three dimensions. Trajectory group membership was significantly associated with demographic and relationship characteristics, such that the best communicators had more adaptive relationship characteristics and less demographic risk. Wives’ trajectory group membership was significantly associated with divorce rates such that the best communicators had the lowest divorce rate (9%), and the worst communicators had the highest divorce rate (22%). Overall, communication behavior is quite consistent over time, indicating that early interaction dynamics tend to be enduring and predictive of relationship outcomes.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

The development of communication behavior over the newlywed years.

Williamson¹

2021

Journal of Family Psychology

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“…From the perspective of enduring dynamics, factors that contribute to losses of marital satisfaction are stable and present at the beginning of the marriage (e.g., Williamson, Nguyen, Karney, & Bradbury, 2016). While there is no clear consensus about factors that best characterize enduring dynamics, researchers have viewed attachment styles as one relatively stable person influence on relationship satisfaction.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…In contrast to losses of positive or idealized relationship attributes emphasized in disillusionment accounts, the emergent distress perspective posits that relationship deteriorations mount over time from increased friction caused by previously overlooked problems (e.g., Clements, Cordova, Markman, & Laurenceau, 1997; Williamson et al, 2016). When partners lack interpersonal skills needed to resolve relationship conflicts and communication difficulties, antagonisms rise and grievances accumulate while relationship satisfaction erodes (Gottman, 2014).…”

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confidence: 99%

Testing integrated models of relationship satisfaction among married Chinese couples using the actor–partner interdependence model

Ju-hong

Jackson

2018

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships

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Enduring dynamics including attachment styles and changes in the nature of interactions during the course of marriage such as increased disillusionment and mounting conflict have been implicated in separate accounts of relationship dissatisfaction and dissolution. However, the viability of integrated accounts is not well understood, especially in collectivist, non-Western contexts. Toward elucidating this issue, we examined links between attachment style, facets of disillusionment versus emergent distress model features, and relationship satisfaction in married, mainland Chinese couples. Both partners in 404 heterosexual couples completed self-report measures of relationship satisfaction, attachment style, key features of the disillusionment perspective (passionate love, relationship aggrandizement, disillusionment), and emergent distress account (problems in conflict management). Dyadic and structural aspects of mediation were tested using the actor–partner interdependence model. Within each gender, associations between elevations in avoidant attachment and reduced relationship satisfaction were mediated by participant and partner experiences of disillusionment on one hand and conflict management difficulties on the other hand. Acceptable fits were observed for final attachment–disillusionment and attachment–emergent distress models. Together, the results suggested increases in relationship disillusionment and conflict are plausible pathways by which high levels of avoidant attachment increase risk for losses of relationship satisfaction within married Chinese couples.

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“…Extramarital affairs were the most-cited reason. Williamson, Nguyen, Bradbury andKarney (2016:1121), Allen andAtkins (2012:1478) and Amato and Preveti (2003:607) refer to extramarital affairs/infidelity as the main reason for divorce among married couples. The researchers found that most of the participants showed some distress to demonstrate how badly they were affected by infidelity.…”

Section: Financial Difficultiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhancing the Wellbeing of Divorced Persons Through Social Work Services: Service-Users’ Experiences and Suggestions

Mbedzi

Williams

2021

SWORK

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Divorce is one of the most stressful life events a person can face and it often has adverse consequences. Social work services are of critical importance in enhancing the wellbeing of divorced persons and improving their relationships with their significant others. A qualitative research study was conducted to develop an in-depth understanding of the nature of social work services to divorced persons and the divorced persons' suggestions regarding social work services. This paper reports the findings, conclusions and recommendations based on interviews conducted with divorced South African men and women from different ethnic groups with the purpose of enhancing the wellbeing of divorced persons through social work services.

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Are problems that contribute to divorce present at the start of marriage, or do they emerge over time?

Cited by 15 publications

References 21 publications

The development of communication behavior over the newlywed years.

The development of communication behavior over the newlywed years.

Testing integrated models of relationship satisfaction among married Chinese couples using the actor–partner interdependence model

Enhancing the Wellbeing of Divorced Persons Through Social Work Services: Service-Users’ Experiences and Suggestions

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