Research shows that even after serious relationship difficulties develop, couples
in distressed marriages wait approximately six years before seeking help from a mental health practitioner.
This study constituted an exploration of the psychological «architecture»
of distressed marriages by examining the potential for developing a psychological - systemic classification of such marriages.
International experts on marital therapy have provided training to our staff to equip us to help even the
most distressed marriages get better.
The couples
in distressed marriages, on the other hand, were motivated by more negative intentions in their communication with their spouses.
In a cultural context, it represents the first and only comprehensive examination
of distressed marriages in Ireland and thus contributes to the development of the fields of marital and family therapy.
Its basic premise was that the problem
in distressed marriages was a failure of the implicit quid pro quo contract between partners when it comes to transactions around the exchange of rewards and positive feelings.
The couples in Study 2 also behaved in a way consistent with a communication - deficit explanation of
distressed marriages; that is, distressed couples» behavior was likely to be coded by their partners as far more negative than they intended.
In a bank account model, a non-distressed marriage differs from
a distressed marriage in that there are more positive «deposits» than negative «withdrawals» from the emotional bank account.
Even without separation orders, Florida law permits couples to enter into legal agreements to formalize the terms of a separation, giving structure to
a distressed marriage while the spouses live apart.
Additionally, while infidelity reflects an incredibly deep violation of marital trust, it is usually a symptom, and not the cause, of
a distressed marriage.
Based on this understanding of the importance of affect in
distressed marriages, an EFT therapist focuses on six core emotions: joy, surprise, fear, shame, anger and sadness.
In
distressed marriages, we commonly find habitual harsh startups by the wife combined with frequent flooding and subsequent stonewalling by the husband.
Couples in high quality marriages acted with more positive intentions toward their spouses than did couples in
distressed marriages.
In an Irish context, it represents a unique examination of
distressed marriages and thus can contribute to the development of the marriage - counselling sector and, in particular, the models used in the marriage - counselling field.
The overarching question addressed by this study was: Can
distressed marriages be reliably classified into types in a manner consistent with interpersonal theories of personality.
This study constituted an exploration of the core themes at issue in
distressed marriages.
Multiple research studies have demonstrated that individual therapy for a spouse in
a distressed marriage may make a couple's conflict worse, making divorce more likely.
Remember, no one feels listened to in
a distressed marriage / relationship.
Couples wait an average of six years before seeking help for
their distressed marriage.
«It doesn't make a difference» About one half of all highly -
distressed marriages in a 2011 study showed persistent signs of improvement 5 years later.
Some explanations for this findings offered by Riso and colleagues included a) the chronicity of the depression leads to alienation and distancing over time in the relationship, b) there are greater interpersonal deficits among the chronically depressed individuals or c) chronically depressed individuals are more likely to remain in
distressed marriages and feel helpless to change their marital situation.
A whole new science of love and connection has developed over the last two decades that helps 7 out of 10
distressed marriages or couples significantly repair their relationship, known as Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples, developed by Sue Johnson, author of «Hold Me Tight.»