2 Core Values That Can Predict Divorce—By A Psychologist

A January 2025 study published in Communications Psychology investigates the values influencing divorce decisions globally. Researchers analyzed attitudes toward divorce in 55 countries, identifying that both personal and cultural values significantly impact whether individuals feel empowered to leave unhappy marriages. Cultures prioritizing individual autonomy tend to have higher divorce rates, viewing separation as a path to self-fulfillment. In contrast, cultures emphasizing social embeddedness see divorce as a disruption to societal stability, leading to lower divorce rates.
The study highlights how individuals with 'openness to change' values are more likely to pursue divorce if their marriage no longer aligns with personal goals, while 'conservation values' discourage divorce by emphasizing tradition and stability. However, in cases where security is threatened, even those valuing conservation might choose divorce to protect well-being. The findings underscore the importance of understanding personal and cultural values in shaping marital decisions, suggesting that shared values are crucial for enduring relationships.
RATING
The article provides an insightful examination of how cultural and personal values influence divorce decisions, offering a balanced view that considers both societal norms and individual aspirations. While the narrative is clear and engaging, the lack of detailed evidence and specific study references affects the accuracy and transparency of the claims. The topic is timely and relevant, contributing to ongoing discussions about marriage, personal freedom, and societal expectations. However, the absence of direct citations and detailed data limits the article's potential impact and engagement. Overall, the article is informative and thought-provoking but would benefit from greater transparency and source attribution to enhance its reliability and influence.
RATING DETAILS
The story presents a nuanced exploration of how cultural and personal values influence divorce rates globally. It accurately identifies the stigma surrounding divorce and its varying acceptance across cultures. However, the article references a January 2025 study but lacks specific details about the study's methodology or findings, which limits the ability to verify the claims fully. The discussion of core values such as individual autonomy and social embeddedness aligns with established sociological theories, but the absence of concrete data or citations from the study diminishes precision. The claim that cultures emphasizing autonomy have higher divorce rates could be supported by comparative data, which is not provided. Overall, while the narrative is plausible and aligns with general sociological insights, the lack of detailed evidence and specific study references affects the verifiability of the claims.
The article provides a balanced view by discussing both personal and cultural values that influence divorce decisions. It acknowledges the role of societal expectations and individual aspirations, offering perspectives from both ends of the spectrum. The discussion on conservation values versus openness to change presents a fair representation of differing viewpoints. However, the article could further enhance balance by including perspectives from individuals who have experienced divorce in various cultural contexts. While it touches on the societal implications of divorce, it could delve deeper into potential negative outcomes of high divorce rates in cultures that prioritize autonomy.
The article is well-structured and presents its arguments clearly, making it accessible to a general audience. It effectively explains complex sociological concepts such as cultural values and personal autonomy in relation to divorce. The use of subheadings and clear transitions between sections enhances readability and logical flow. However, the introduction of the January 2025 study without sufficient detail could confuse readers seeking to understand the basis of the claims. Overall, the language is neutral and informative, contributing to the clarity of the article.
The article references a study published in Communications Psychology, suggesting reliance on academic research. However, it does not provide direct citations or detailed information about the study, such as authorship or methodology, which affects the perceived reliability of the source. The absence of direct quotes or data from the study limits the ability to assess the authority and credibility of the information presented. While the article's claims are plausible and align with general sociological theories, the lack of detailed source attribution reduces the overall source quality.
The article lacks transparency in terms of providing specific details about the study it references. It does not disclose the methodology, sample size, or geographic distribution of the study, which are crucial for understanding the context and reliability of the findings. Additionally, there is no disclosure of potential conflicts of interest or biases that could affect the interpretation of the study results. While the article provides a general overview of the study's conclusions, the lack of transparency regarding the underlying research limits the reader's ability to critically evaluate the claims.
Sources
- https://reallifecounseling.us/blog/predict-divorce-gottman
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVpV45zTQIw
- https://fortune.com/well/article/predict-divorce-communication-style-gottman-institute/
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/01492063241281467?icid=int.sj-full-text.citing-articles.16
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/za/blog/social-instincts/202409/the-4-antidotes-for-the-4-strongest-predictors-of-divorce
YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN

Experts say these are the red flags that may indicate you’re in a ‘silent divorce’
Score 7.6
David Harbour awkwardly skirts around Lily Allen split rumors: ‘Oh, boy’
Score 7.0
Kevin Bacon makes rare comment about losing fortune in Bernie Madoff’s $65B Ponzi scheme
Score 7.0
Charlotte Flair Emotionally Breaks Silence On Andrade Divorce
Score 6.0