Interaction Breakdown: The Leading Cause of Divorce, According to Experts
New York, NY – While infidelity often grabs headlines, a lack of effective communication and commitment are the primary drivers behind dissolving marriages, according to relationship experts and recent studies. This revelation comes as model Emily Ratajkowski’s lawyer highlighted communication issues as central to her recent divorce.
Communication profoundly impacts basic family decisions, from child-rearing to daily routines and leisure time. For many couples, initial disagreements in these areas escalate, creating emotional distance. “if you can communicate, you can overcome any adversity,” asserts relationship expert Dr. Robert combs.
A study based on interviews with divorced individuals pinpointed a lack of commitment and poor communication as the top factors contributing to marital breakdown. The research,published by the National Institutes of Health,found that 75% of participants cited a lack of commitment as the main reason for divorce,while 57.7% attributed it to frequent arguments.
Though infidelity plays a role, it’s less prevalent than commitment issues and ongoing conflict. Other contributing factors, such as financial difficulties, substance abuse, and domestic violence, are also cited, but to a lesser degree.
Data from the Pew Research Center reveals that four out of ten divorces occur within the first ten years of marriage – 16% within the first five years and 24% between years five and nine.Though, breakups also occur in long-term relationships, with 22% of divorces happening after 25 years or more.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over two million marriages are registered annually in the US, alongside approximately 670,000 divorces. This translates to a marriage rate of 6.1 per 1,000 inhabitants and a divorce rate of 2.4, demonstrating a notable number of couples ultimately choose to separate.
