Common signs that a marriage is ending
Even when one or both partners are unhappy in a marriage, deciding to divorce can be challenging. Have you done enough to try to rejuvenate your partnership and stay together? Will things eventually get better?
If you are unsure about the right choice, consider these common factors that frequently contribute to divorce:
Infidelity and commitment issues
In a study published by the clinical journal Couple and Family Psychology, 75% of surveyed couples cited a lack of commitment to the marriage and nearly 60% cited infidelity as the ultimate reason for divorce. If your partner is unfaithful and fails to commit to working on the marriage through therapy and other measures, it may be time to consider separation. Individuals in this situation reported feeling neglected by their spouse and fearful of abandonment.
Financial incompatibility
If you and your spouse cannot get on the same page about money matters, you could be at risk for a divorce. Many divorced individuals report that their marriages ended because of dramatically different spending habits, incompatible financial goals or a power struggle created when one spouse had significantly higher earnings than the other. If your partner hides money or cannot account for his or her spending, this may be a red flag.
Substance abuse
When one partner struggles with substance abuse, it can be difficult for the marriage to recover from the emotional strain of addiction. This is especially true when the person denies that he or she has a problem, fails to get treatment or repeatedly relapses. Even when couples simply have different drinking habits, it can put a significant strain on the relationship. If you have concerns about your spouse’s substance use, he or she may have to truly recover to save the marriage.
Many men and women delay divorce proceedings because of anxiety about the future. Talking to a therapist or seeking legal advice can help bring peace of mind and clarity to this difficult time of life.
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