Yes, a lack of work-life balance can certainly affect the odds that a couple gets divorced. Careers and personal lives are often closely intertwined, and one can affect the other.
For example, when researchers from the University of North Carolina studied this, they found that divorce rates were 40% higher when one spouse qualified as a “workaholic.” This simply meant that the person worked more than necessary, perhaps putting in extensive overtime or working on the weekends. When neither spouse overworked, divorce rates were markedly lower.
In some cases, the issue is just conflicting priorities. One spouse may feel that they are taking on all of the household obligations regarding the children, for example, while their partner is always at work. Even if they don’t have children, the couple just spends less time with each other.
A long commute
Similarly, studies have looked at couples who get divorced when one person has a long commute. The odds of divorce are 40% higher if that commute is over 45 minutes.
Again, it is just an issue of couples not spending as much time together. Whether one spouse is spending all of their free time on the road, driving to and from work or actually putting in overtime hours at the office, they do not have as much time for their partner. This can cause strain in their marital relationship, increasing the odds that they will get a divorce.
Work-life balance is just one factor that can affect divorce rates. If you believe that you and your partner are moving toward a divorce this year, be sure you know exactly what legal steps to take.