Our Fairfax, Virginia divorce attorneys recently reviewed a new study published in the Journal of Personality and Psychology in June 2014, titled “Why Do Personality Traits Predict Divorce? Multiple Pathways Through Satisfaction.”
Conventional wisdom suggests that certain personality traits are associated with a greater likelihood of divorce. But what exactly makes these traits significant? Researchers Brittney Solomon and Joshua Jackson explored this question by analyzing a representative, longitudinal sample of 8,206 people to test the pathways through which personality traits influence relationship dissolution.
The Two Pathways
The researchers proposed two possible pathways:
- Enduring Dynamics: This model suggests that ongoing relationship dynamics are stable throughout the marriage. Personality traits set the tone from the beginning, and these dynamics persist over time.
- Emergent Distress: This model posits that certain personality traits can create stress within a relationship, leading to changes in relationship satisfaction over time. Major life events or stressors may exacerbate these traits, testing the relationship.
Key Findings
The study concluded that both pathways hold merit. The enduring dynamics pathway had the most substantial effects, meaning that personality traits shape relationship quality from the outset. However, the emergent distress pathway also played a critical role, especially when major life changes occurred. This suggests that life-altering events may challenge individuals’ personalities and, by extension, their relationships in ways that day-to-day experiences do not.
In summary, the research demonstrated that personality traits impact the overall quality of a relationship, which in turn influences the likelihood of divorce.
How This Relates to You
While you cannot change your personality or your partner’s personality, you can adopt compassionate and effective strategies to handle your divorce or separation. The team at DiPietro Family Law Group, PLLC is here to help you understand what’s happening in your relationship and guide you through the legal process.
Call our Fairfax divorce attorneys today at (888) 530-4374 to schedule a confidential consultation.
