By M Merill
Research shows that the presence of certain negative patterns can destroy oneness in marriage. In other words, just a few negatives in marriage can wear away dozens of positives.
So, what are the patterns that can destroy your marriage?
Well, in their book Fighting for Your Marriage, Markman, Stanley, and Blumberg share 4 things.
1. Escalation
Escalation occurs when partners respond back and forth negatively to each other, continually upping the ante so the conversation gets more and more hostile. The key to diffusing a potentially volatile conversation is to try softening your tone. This takes practice and humility. Because even if the other person is wrong or is being mean-spirited, you can still be the one to turn the tide of the conversation.