Thursday's Psychology Trivia Answer: When Are Married Couples Happiest?

Thought for the Day: On Tuesday, I asked:

    When are married couples happiest? 

             

         a) 1 year after they get married

         b) 7 years after they get married

         c) 3 years after they get married

         d) 2 years after they get married

         e) 40 years after they get married

There are actually two correct answers: c) after 3 years of marriage & e) 40 years after they get married. According to a new study by U.K. law firm Slater & Gordon  2000 people were asked about how happy they were in their marriages. The survey found that 3 years after they wed, couples felt the most relaxed & comfortable with one another & reported enjoying their marriage the most. The 1st year they were enjoying the afterglow of the wedding, but it may not feel real yet. In the 2nd year they felt they were still getting to know one another. By the third year of marriage, they felt they had finally figured out how to live together, quirks & all. The worst year was 5 years after the wedding. If they make it past the stresses of work & children to 7 years, the likelihood of staying happily married increases.

In an Australian study from  December 2012, the findings were slightly different. They reported what they call a "Wedding Day Hangover," with a decrease in happiness following the wedding. They found that couples married for more than 40 years were actually happier than newly weds! So it pays to stick with it & work on your marriage!

If you want to read more, take a look at this Huffington Post article where the idea for this trivia question arose.