What Predicts a Successful Marriage?
While nothing can guarantee a successful marriage there are factors that predict which marriages are set up for a strong and secure relationship.
Family Background
While no one can control their family background, it’s typically a factor that predicts the success of a marriage. People who grow up in a functioning family unit, where both parents are psychologically intact show higher success rates in marriage. This doesn’t mean that the unit they grew up in was perfect but it gave them a healthy marital and sexual example that they build off of. Someone who grew up in a tumultuous or unstable family or witnessed their parents fighting or being passive aggressive have less to build off of in terms of their own relationship.
Age + Dating Length
Other factors that contribute to a successful marriage are the length of time a couple has been together as well as the age they get married. Couples who know each other for at least a year and get married at 21 or later have higher success rates. The motive behind the marriage is also a huge indicator if a marriage will last. Couples who get married for negative reasons like an unplanned pregnancy, peer or family pressure, loneliness, or even the need to “be rescued” often set the marriage up on a tense or rocky premise. When getting married it’s the couples who get married for the positive reasons that show the greatest success rate. Reasons such as mutual fondness and admiration, shared goals, values, and dreams, and compatibility show high rates of success and the ability to build a secure and stable relationship.
Living Together Before Marriage
Past studies have showed that couples who live together before marriage have a higher chance of divorce, but what actually predicts that is the mindset behind getting married. If marriage is treated like a thoughtful and active choice between partners instead of something that the couple “falls into” success rates are much higher. The intention behind moving in with someone and then choosing marriage is always worth evaluating because that intention can have future repercussions down the road. Couples who have actively chosen each other and treated marriage like a conscious choice have stronger relationships down the road whether or not they lived together before they got married.
Friendship
Another factor to consider is if a strong and trusted friendship exists between both people. Couples that feel their relationship has an openness, trust, and genuine friendship often are the ones that predict lasting power. Having a strong friendship sets couples up for navigating the difficult times in life as well changes in relationship that can happen with children or age. Liking your spouse and enjoying time with them is a huge indicator of future happiness.
While no marriage goes without experiencing lows having these factors in place help couples navigate these moments together and give them more lasting power in their future.
