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Chapter 13

Answers to Marital Dysfunction Quiz

The Marital Dysfunction Quiz points

to common myths about why marriages

fail. While these factors may contribute to

divorce, we must look deeper to find the

underlying causes of divorce.

Sociological Factors Related to Divorce

Some marriages are at high risk for

divorce simply because they exhibit certain

social characteristics. Marriages are more

prone to end in divorce if they have to deal

with the added stresses of low income, low

education, or young age at marriage (Lu,

2006). Studies conclude that women who

marry before the age of 18 have a 48%

chance of separation or divorce within the

first 10 years of marriage, while women who

are at least 25 years of age or older when

they marry have a 24% chance of separation

or divorce (Bramlett & Mosher, 2002).

Factors related to a high risk of divorce include, low

income, low education, young age at marriage and

careers that require a lot of time away from home.

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1. False.Many things contribute to
   divorce.Only 20–25% of people in
   mediation groups report an affair
   caused their divorce.The primary
   reason (80%) couples seek a divorce
   is because they perceive a
   deterioration of intimacy in their
   relationship.


2. False.Gender differences can
   complicate the interactions between
   men and women.However,if gender
   differences were the primary cause
   of divorce,the divorce rate would be
   100% for heterosexuals,and
   homosexual relationships would
   thrive.


3. False.While failure to communicate
   is often problematic,distressed
   couples actually communicate quite
   clearly what they feel and mean—
   no holding back.Even clear
   communication can be harmful if
   it is hurtful or blaming in tone.


4. False.Research demonstrates a lack
   of quid pro quo is not the primary
   problem for ailing couples,but
   neither is it a problem for happy
   couples (Gottman,1995).


5. False.Lastly,couples break up
   because their level of satisfaction with
   the relationship decreases,not
   because they stop loving each other
   (Sprecher,1999).