New Research Shows Boredom Can Negatively Affect a Marriage

Posted on May 4, 2009 in Arranged Marriage, Marriage Advice

A new study published in the Journal of  Psychological Science shows that boredom is dangerous in a marriage. The researchers found out boredom undermines the closeness and reduces satisfaction in a marriage. They recommend couples to participate in exciting activities to add a spark and reduce boredom in marriage.

This study which focuses on the affect of boredom in marriage was undertaken by researchers from University of Michigan and Stony Brook University. The researchers interviewed 123 couples from the Detroit area on the 9th year of their marriage and again on the 16th year of their marriage.

This study which was spread over a gap of 7 years, can be an indicator how boredom can negatively affect a marriage during the long-term. Each of the couple who were interviewed belonged to the same race and entered into marriages the first time.

During the interviews the participants were asked questions which assessed who bored they were with their marriage and how excited they were in the relationship. Other questions assessed their marital satisfaction by asking them to select a picture which best represented their closeness.

The researchers found out that couple who were bored in the 9th year of their marriage were more likely to have less marital satisfaction in the 16th year of their marriage.

How does boredom affect marriage? According to Terri Orbuch, research professor at University of Michigan, boredom undermines closeness, which in turn reduces marital satisfaction. The researchers suggest couples to spend time doing exciting things, which can help in developing closeness and greater marital satisfaction, trust and commitment.

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