The Secret To A Happy Marriage

The Secret To A Happy Marriage

According to a report released today that has looked into the state of UK marriages, 7 in 10 married couples would describe themselves as happily hitched.

With the next few weeks being the busiest time of the year for weddings, the results should prove reassuring for those about to walk up the aisle.

The study by scientific matching site, eHarmony took the views of over 1200 married and previously married people and revealed that while the majority of people are blissfully married, a fifth of them said that they were unhappy, men more so than women.

The number of people claiming to be unhappy in their marriage correlated with the length of time they had been wed, with just 16% of those in a 4-10 year old marriage claiming to be unhappy compared with 20% of those married ten years or more.

When asked what they wished they had known about marriage before they tied the knot, 40% of married respondents would like to have known how essential it was to compromise.

Dr Gian Gonzaga, Ph.D, a senior research scientist for eHarmony.co.uk, gives science’s explanation for the happy marriage findings. He says: "Couples who share similar personality types, common goals and interests have a greater understanding of each other which leads to happier marriages.

"For couples setting out on marriage, they are often finding their feet together and concerned about what could lie ahead. Couples who share similar personalities, goals and interests have an upper hand navigating the newlywed transition whereas those who don’t share those qualities became less happy over time."

Given the divorce rate in the UK is currently around 11%, the report delivers crucial insight from 145 divorced people. When asked what they wish they had known about marriage before getting wed, nearly half of the divorcees had under estimated the role of constant communication.

More consideration of their partner’s values and habits was cited also - over 50% said these traits were the hardest things about their marriages.


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