Many people expect that when Arizona couples marry, their happiness in the relationship will almost inevitably decrease over time. They may expect that when the honeymoon period is over, couples grow apart and begin to fight more. Small things that may have initially not bothered the partners may begin to become sources of conflict. However, some research has questioned the idea that marital dissatisfaction grows with time. While relationships may change, it seems that the happiest couples when they initially marry are far more likely to stay happy together over the years that follow.
Researchers wanted to study marital satisfaction and indicators of divorce across a range of populations. They noticed that many studies examining these issues focused primarily on white middle-class couples, and they were interested in the effects of socioeconomic status on marital happiness. They surveyed the 431 couples living in a lower-income area in 2009 as newlyweds and delivered the survey again each year until 2014.
The researchers found that it was easy to categorize couples into high, medium, and low satisfaction based on their initial responses as newlyweds. Those patterns held up over time. Couples that were happier together in the first survey remained happy together over the years to come. In many cases, their satisfaction even increased. On the other hand, unhappy couples were more likely to become even more alienated and distrustful. For unhappy couples, financial status had a far larger negative effect than for happy ones, but only wives, rather than husbands, appeared to be affected.
By the time couples decide to divorce, financial and emotional issues can seem overwhelming. People can turn to a family law attorney for advice and guidance in negotiating property division and other divorce legal issues.