Sure: Over the years, partners become more and more similar, speak their own language and blah. But according to a study, the first year of marriage changes personality – and differently than expected!
We know that people change in the course of their relationships. Most couples assimilate each other, laugh at insiders who no one else understands, and use weird words for things that are actually called completely different. But in a study by the University of Georgia, scientists focused on the personality development of newlyweds – and found some really surprising changes!
Clear traces after the first year of marriage
The psychologists examined the character traits of 169 married couples at the wedding, six months later, on the first wedding anniversary and again after a year and a half. What they found: Most couples had a noticeable change in personality between the third and fourth survey (i.e. after one year). But: The partners didn't just become more similar! The researchers from Georgia observed the following changes in the participants of their study after the first year of marriage.
1. Both spouses are more unkind and irritable
The scientists recorded a higher level of irritability, unfriendliness and impatience in both the male and female test subjects. One reason for this, the researchers say, could be that it can be difficult to get used to the new circumstances in the first year of marriage. The rose-colored glasses lose their effect, the butterflies in your stomach stop fluttering and everyday life strikes. You can get annoyed and irritable. However, the scientists suspect, this would probably level off again for many when the partners have settled in completely and got used to the marriage.
2. Women less enterprising, men more introverted
In their female test subjects, the psychologists documented less openness and less interest in new experiences and ventures, while the males were more introverted and more closed to other people. Scientific guess: Especially in the first phase of marriage, partners focus more on their relationship and their own little world. Your life is more likely to take place in the marital cosmos than outside.
3. Women more balanced, men more mindful
A very positive change that the scientists noticed: the young wives were generally more emotionally balanced and suffered less from anxiety and depressive moods, the husbands turned out to be significantly more attentive and sensitive. What could be the reason for this? Hm. Maybe these are harbingers of the notorious "becoming more alike" effect …
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