Research in America has found that couples that fight or argue a lot at the start of their relationship are likely to continue having high levels of conflict throughout their marriage. 

 

The study, which was carried out by Ohio State University, looked at the relationship of 1,000 couples between 1980 and 2000. It found that there was no significant change in the level of conflict reported within marriages throughout the 20 year study period.

 

The research divided marriages into four main categories: volatile, validator, hostile and avoider. Marriages within the validator category had low levels of conflict, and both partners shared decision making and housework. These marriages were found to be the healthiest, and the least likely to end in divorce. Around 54% of couples fell into this category.  

 

Unsurprisingly, couples that fell into the hostile marriage category were found to be most likely to divorce. Around 20% of couples surveyed were found to be in this category.