Author Question: Describe the factors that increase a couple's likelihood of getting a divorce. ... (Read 70 times)

ishan · **on:** Aug 23, 2018

Describe the factors that increase a couple's likelihood of getting a divorce.

ANSWER:

Question 2

What are the repercussions associated with widowhood?

ANSWER:

dudman123 · **Reply #1 on:** Aug 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Gottman and Levenson (2004) developed two models that predicted early and later divorce. In the early divorce model, negative emotions expressed during conflict (those such as contempt, criticism, defensiveness, and stonewalling), predicted early divorce but not later divorce. This pattern reflected wife demand-husband withdrawal, which during conflict the wife makes a demand and the husband withdraws emotionally or physically. Alternatively, lack of positive emotions when discussing the events of the day predicted later divorce. Overall, early divorce was predicted by negative emotions. Later divorce was predicted by lack of positive emotions.

Answer to Question 2

For most people, the death of a spouse will be one of the most traumatic events they ever experience. For European Americans, it results in an increased risk of death, an effect that lasts several years. For example, a study in Scotland showed an increased risk for death that lasted 10 years. Women are more likely to be widowed than men due to their greater life expectancies and tendency to marry men older than themselves. Loneliness can be a major problem in widowhood. People may be left alone by family and friends who don't know how to cope with a bereaved person. In general, those who were more dependent on their spouses report the highest increase in self-esteem as they learn to do the tasks formerly done by their spouses. As far as gender differences, widowers may recover slowly unless they have good support networks. Widows often suffer more financially.