Divorce happens for many different reasons. No one enters a marriage thinking that it will fail, but it happens. Each couple’s relationship and struggles are unique, but there are commonalities found amongst people seeking divorce.
A study in the Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, reported by Health, found the top reasons for divorce.
Love and intimacy
The number one reason for divorce was found to be a lack of love or intimacy. 47% of the 2,371 study participants said that either one or both spouses feel out of love, resulting in the end of their marriage.
Communication
44% of participants cited communication issues as their reason for divorce. Everyone has a different style of communication and if both parties don’t feel heard and understood, it can create big problems.
Sympathy, respect and trust
A lack of sympathy for your partner, inadequate respect, understanding and trust can be a huge issue in a marriage. It was named the third most divorce-causing problem with 34% of people choosing it as their top issue.
Growing apart
Growing apart can mean things like difference in values or wanting different things for their lives. 32% of participants selected this reason for their divorce.
The Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts reported from a survey of their clients that the number one reason for divorce was “basic incompatibility”. This 43% of people polled did not elaborate on their answers. However, we know that this incompatibility was an internal one in their relationship, not necessarily affected by outside forces. The following causes were infidelity, money issues, emotional or physical abuse, parenting issues and addiction.
While behavioral issues can create significant impact on marriages, these studies have found that more often, the cause of divorce is emotional and interpersonal. Without personal satisfaction, many find that they cannot continue in their marriage.
