Overview
According to Planned Parenthood, a healthy relationship provides both partners a feeling of security, mutual support, and enjoyment. While all relationships can experience difficult times, a marriage that has more problems than positive moments may likely deteriorate. In fact, as the Mayo Clinic notes, roughly half of marriages experience difficulties that eventually lead to divorce.
Abuse in the Relationship
Experts at Planned Parenthood note that acts of physical, verbal or emotional abuse can be a clear sign that a relationship is unhealthy and may need to be terminated. Spousal abuse can be characterized by physical acts such as hitting or damaging property. Emotional abuse includes behaviors such as controlling a partner's behaviors or finances, making threats, or intentionally damaging a partner's self-esteem.
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Dishonesty and Infidelity
Experts at the Mayo Clinic note that acts of dishonesty and infidelity can cause serious, often irreparable damage to a marriage. Spouses may find that they are unable to repair the trust and serious resentments may build. Experts at the Mayo Clinic note that the stress and grief that results from such breaches of trust often results in martial separation.
Recurring Conflicts
Experts at Planned Parenthood note that the presence of serious conflict between partners or spouses can be a sign of an unhealthy relationship. The Mayo Clinic notes that most couples have disagreements and differences in personality, but when issues such as substance abuse or employment problems begin to cause consistent conflict that can not be resolved, the couple may need to reassess the viability of the marriage.
Needs and Communication
The Mayo Clinic notes that effective communication and problem solving are critical to the success of a marriage because both partners have needs to be met in the relationship. In some cases spouses seek help through couples counseling or from a spiritual advisor. In other cases one spouse may not wish to take part in counseling. Ongoing blocks in communication and problem solving may prohibit partners from meeting each other's needs, and may eventually indicate that the marriage is no longer viable.
Expert Insight
Experts at the Mayo Clinic note that many married couples benefit from couples counseling. Therapy can often help couples communicate more openly and develop a better understanding of each other's needs and feelings. A therapist can also give a couple unbiased feedback on the state of the relationship, helping them decide how to move forward.