[00:00:00] For greater long term marriage satisfaction. Which is better? Having positive or negative expectations of success? To determine the impact of expectations, researchers followed 82 newlywed couples over four years of marriage. They videotaped and rated couples attempting to resolve one marital conflict. Couples who held positive expectations in the early years of marriage had stronger relationships down the road. Even when things went wrong, those with positive expectations were better at working through their problems. Couples who held negative expectations in the beginning of their marriage tended to have lower marital satisfaction in the future, even if things were going well in the relationship. Couples who enter their marriage with positive expectations tend to work harder to maintain a strong relationship, even in the face of difficulties. If you're about to tie the knot or have, it's important to have positive expectations for your marriage. This mindset can help you weather the ups and downs of life together and strengthen your bond as a couple. If needed, seek marriage counseling to learn conflict resolution skills and enhance expectations. Remember, love isn't always easy, but a positive outlook can go a long way in making it last.
