Managing Marriage Stressors

Every marriage faces hard times. These hard times or "marriage stressors" can occur only once, or they can be a permanent part of marriage. In this section, you'll find information about some of the more common stressful situations that couples experience. Commonly known stressors include addictions, job difficulties, finances and infidelity. When you recognize that your marriage is facing a challenge, you can better manage and resolve that challenge by using skills. Overcoming difficult times together may result in a marriage that is stronger and more fulfilling.

Topics on this page:

Addictions
1. Anger
2. Chronic Illness / Physical Illness
3. Employment
4. Financial Stress
5. Infidelity
6. Mental Health

1. Addictions

Addictions present major challenges to maintaining a healthy relationship. Addictions not only adversely affect the person struggling with the addiction, but also can create negative consequences for their relationships with significant others, spouses, and families. Addictions discussed here include: alcohol, substance abuse, gambling, and pornography. You can also get resources on finding help. For more information, please visit the Addictions page in our 'Challenges to Healthy Relationships' section of the website.

2. Anger

Although all marriages and relationships inevitably experience conflict, there are safe and healthy methods for resolving problems. Anger is a natural emotion that if not managed in a healthy manner can be an obstacle to maintaining safe and beneficial relationships. For more information, please visit the Anger page in our 'Challenges to Healthy Relationships' section of the website.

3. Chronic Illness/Physical Illness

Research shows a connection between marriage and increased health benefits for both partners. However, sometimes spouses can still develop a chronic illness during a marriage or may even enter a marriage with a severe physical or chronic illness. In committed relationships the healthy partner often serves as caretaker. Although the duties of caretaker can bring a sense of purpose or meaning to the healthy partner, these duties can also become a strain on the relationship. Spouses or partners who act as primary caretakers can become physically and emotionally exhausted, feel overwhelmed, or at times even unfulfilled. Yet, the social support of marriage can be crucial to the ill partner in coping with chronic illness. Chronic illness can also occur in children and cause strain on a marriage. For more information on chronic illness or how to cope with the challenges of chronic illness to a healthy relationship, please see one of the resources below. For more information, please visit the Chronic Illness/Physical Illness page in our 'Challenges to Healthy Relationships' section of the website.

4. Employment

Work and relationships are generally recognized as important parts of adults' lives, and research has shown the demands of one can interfere with the demands of the other. For more information, please visit the Employment page in our 'Challenges to Healthy Relationships' section of the website.

5. Financial Stress

Marriage places two individuals in an environment where they must work together to manage and use their money. Research has shown the financial practices and patterns a couple chooses can help or harm their marriage. Experts suggest discussing expectations and creating a plan for how finances will be managed in your relationship even before the marriage begins. On this page we've compiled several resources to help you manage financial stress throughout all stages of your relationships. We also provide financial education resources for healthy marriage programs. For more information, please visit the Financial Stress page in our 'Challenges to Healthy Relationships' section of the website.

6. Infidelity

Infidelity is often listed as a primary cause of divorce. Although entertainment media frequently romanticizes infidelity, in actuality infidelity can place great strain on marital and family relationships. For more information, please visit the Infidelity page in our 'Challenges to Healthy Relationships' section of the website.

7. Mental Health

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 26.2 percent of Americans ages 18 and older—about one in four adults—suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. Although the numbers are smaller for those who experience serious mental illness (about 1 in 17), these statistics imply that many Americans will either personally face a mental disorder or know someone who does. Below you'll find more information about mental health and its bearing on healthy relationships. For more information, please visit the Mental Health page in our 'Challenges to Healthy Relationships' section of the website.