The Secret of a Long and Happy Marriage Revealed

The secret of marriage longevity revealed: University of Michigan scientists identified the main factor of strong relationships. According to a new study published in the authoritative Journal of Elder Policy (JEP), reliable and constant mutual support becomes the cornerstone of a solid marital union.

Study participants described their long-term marriages as true oases of harmony, filled with emotional warmth and boundless trust, where the significant other becomes an irreplaceable source of strength and support. Support proves especially valuable during pivotal moments of life's journey - whether it's a serious illness, financial crisis, or other life challenges.

An interesting detail: men significantly more often noted the support received from their spouse than women did. This observation confirms the previously established fact that the stronger sex receives more benefits from marriage. Women, in turn, more frequently mentioned occasional, albeit infrequent, negative moments - criticism or expressions of dissatisfaction. However, the study convincingly showed that in long-term marriages, serious conflicts are quite rare.

Scientists discovered another interesting pattern: the level of mutual support in a family directly correlates with the education and income of the spouses. Additionally, the longer a marriage lasts, the fewer negative interactions it contains. An important discovery: the quality of support does not depend on whether it's a first or subsequent marriage, which destroys the common myth about the "fragility" of remarriages.

The study authors emphasize that their work presents a more holistic and positive picture of marital relationships, which in previous scientific works were often viewed primarily through the lens of problems and conflict situations.