Relationship advice from a single psychologist: Take it or leave it!
Relationships are generally thought to lead to increased well-being, life satisfaction and even longevity. Passion, love and romance seem to be particularly present at the early stages of most relationships. As time passes by, other factors such as mutual respect and trust begin to play an even more important role in ensuring the survival of any relationship. In fact, mutual respect and trust seem to be the foundation for long lasting relationships.
It is difficult to talk about relationships without talking about separation, divorce and infidelity. Unfortunately more than 50% of first marriages fail! While many reasons have been identified as the leading causes of breakups/separations/divorces, the one that has received the most attention is infidelity. Little explanation is necessary to explain why infidelity can lead to a break up/separation/divorce. Most who have been victims of infidelity experience a feeling of betrayal due to a lack of respect from one member of a couple towards the other. Such disrespect can lead in turn to a lack of trust and subsequently to a breakup/separation/divorce. In reality, the causal relationship between infidelity, disrespect, distrust and divorce is rarely that simple or straightforward. What is certain though is that, without mutual trust and respect, most relationships fail one way or another.