The Secret of a Long and Happy Marriage Revealed

Researchers at the University of Michigan have discovered a key factor that ensures the strength of marriage over decades. According to a study published in the Journal of Elder Policy (JEP), reliable and constant mutual support is the foundation of strong marital relationships.

Study participants characterized their long-term marriages as harmonious unions filled with warmth and trust, where the spouse becomes the main source of strength and support. Support during critical moments in life - during illness, financial difficulties, and other trials - acquires special value in relationships.

Notably, men more often noted the support received from their partner than women. This observation confirms a previously identified trend that men receive more benefits from marriage. Women, on the other hand, more often mentioned occasional, albeit rare, negative interactions - criticism or expressions of dissatisfaction. However, the study showed that serious conflicts do not occur frequently in long-term marriages.

Scientists also identified an interesting pattern: the level of mutual support in the family is directly related to the education and income of the spouses. Additionally, as the duration of marriage increases, the number of negative interactions decreases. It is important to note that the quality of support does not depend on whether it is the first marriage or a subsequent one, which refutes the common opinion about the "fragility" of remarriages.

The authors of the study emphasize that their work presents a more complete and positive picture of marital relationships, which in previous studies were often viewed primarily through the lens of problems and conflicts.