According to relationship experts, the number one indicator that a couple will break up has been revealed.
dating coach Debbie Rios told FEMAIL that contempt is often the biggest “relationship killer” and a major “predictor of divorce.”
Contempt is the attitude or feeling towards someone that they are worthless or that they are not taken into account, as if the person were inferior. It also includes feelings of anger and resentment.
‘Contempt shows disgust towards the other person and is different from criticism. “You can see how that will kill any relationship and make it difficult to resolve your relationship problems,” Ms. Rivers said.
Australian relationship coach Debbie Rivers (left) said contempt is the feeling that the other person is worthless or disregarded.
What are common signs of contempt?
Rivers said there are four types of communication that kill relationships: contempt, criticism, avoidance (shutting down), and defensiveness (not listening).
“If there’s contempt in your relationship, it’s the biggest predictor that you’re headed toward a breakup or divorce,” he said.
Common signs of contempt include name-calling, sarcasm, eye-rolling, mockery, hostile humor, name-calling, and acting like you’re better than your partner.
‘It’s feeling like they’re beneath you: an air of superiority. “It’s hard to resolve a problem if your partner gets the idea or the message that you’re upset with them,” Ms. Rivers said.
‘It usually occurs when there are long-term resentments and unresolved issues in a relationship. They are those continuous negative thoughts about your partner.
Leading Australian relationship expert Dr Lurve (pictured) agreed that contempt is a “silent relationship killer” and those in relationships need to “be aware” of their negative behaviour.
What is the solution?
Relationship expert Dr. Lurve agreed that contempt is a “silent killer” and those in relationships need to “be aware” of negative behavior.
“It’s that toxic cocktail of disrespect, condescension and a general sense of superiority towards one’s partner,” he told FEMAIL.
‘It is crucial that couples recognize the warning signs early on and confront them head-on. Open, honest communication and a commitment to mutual respect can serve as powerful antidotes to contempt, fostering healthier, longer-lasting connections.’
Dr. Lurve recommended making a “collective effort to unmask contempt” and replace it with positive values.
It is essential to not only make your spouse feel loved but also respected and genuinely appreciated.
“By doing so, we can pave the way for long-lasting love stories that stand the test of time,” added Dr. Lurve.
A conversation also broke out on Reddit where hundreds of people gave their opinion on the topic and agreed that if one or both show contempt for their spouse, the relationship will not last in the long term (file image).
A conversation also broke out on Reddit where hundreds of people weighed in on the topic and agreed that if one or both partners show contempt for their spouse, the relationship will not last long-term.
Many also pointed out other behavioral traits that could indicate a split.
“I always find couples who post about how much they love each other on social media and break up pretty quickly,” one wrote.
“If your communication just doesn’t improve over time,” said another.
A third added: “They casually show signs that they don’t respect each other: it can be a lot of blank stares, mocking and condescending laughter, casually saying ‘you’re so stupid’, embarrassing themselves in front of a friend.”
Another shared their personal experience, saying, “My ex said, ‘I’m trying to toughen you up.'” Interesting, because I never asked for a boxing coach for my emotions.’
