The lowest divorce rate in the nation is in Massachussetts, which was also one of the first states to legalize same sex unions. The seven states with the highest divorce rates have constitutional bans on gay marriage. San Francisco family attorneys are hoping this may affect the major federal court case on the matter this month.

While the person who conducted the research has said the results are statistically significant, he is also quick to point out that the results do not necessarily imply causation.

To read more about the findings, see the article on Newser. Image Via laverrue [Flickr]

While living together before marriage was once considered scandalous, it is now a widely accepted practice –in fact, over 70% of couples do co-habitate before getting hitched.

Researchers believe the increased divorce rate could be a result of couples getting married for the wrong reasons. “We think that some couples who move in together without a clear commitment to marriage may wind up sliding into marriage partly because they are already cohabiting,” said University of Denver researcher Galena Rhoades. San Francisco family attorneys say other reasons couples may opt to get married include a joint lease, mutual ownership of a pet, or an unexpected pregnancy.

Of subsets of the couples who moved in before marriage, the study found that the reason the couple moved in also affected the happiness of the couple. Those who claimed financial reasons and a desire to spend more time together had overall happier marriages and fewer divorces than those who wanted to test out living together before marriage. “Cohabiting to test a relationship turns out to be associated with the most problems in relationships,” Rhoades said. “Perhaps if a person is feeling a need to test the relationship, he or she already knows some important information about how a relationship may go over time.”

To read more about these findings, see the article on Livescience.com. Image Via dsearls [Flickr].

“That can be a terrific strain on any relationship,” says Tara Beaumont, a clinical nurse specialist for the charity Breast Cancer Care. “The person who is well may find themselves asking why their life has changed so drastically and yearning for what they had before.”

A new study has revealed that men are seven times as likely to call it quits after their wife becomes sick. The reasons for this gender-related discrepancy are as of yet unknown, but an interesting article in The Times Online examines this phenomenon.

Image via Tim Samoff [Flickr]

Most married couples prefer to share the same bed, but this may actually be detrimental to both their health and relationships. Sleep researcher Dr. Neil Stanley has come across evidence that separate beds ensure each person receives a good night’s rest, which may help prevent stroke, heart disease and divorce. He also claims that sharing a bed may increase the risk of depression and suicidal behavior.

“You [have] this person who makes noise, punches, kicks and gets up to go to the loo in the middle of the night, is it any wonder you are not getting a good night’s sleep?” says Dr. Stanley.

Stanley’s studies have shown that when one partner tosses in his or her sleep, there is a 50% chance their partner will roll over as well. This movement reduces the quality of sleep.

One of the major factors that may prevent couples from getting separate beds may be the issue of presenting the idea to your spouse. Most San Francisco divorce attorneys will tell you this is a small price to pay when considering something that may help your marriage last longer.

Dr. Stanley advises couples who enjoy cuddling to enjoy the cuddling in the same bed and then simply move to a separate bed when the time comes to go to sleep. He reminds couples, “Intimacy is important for emotional health. But good sleep is important for physical, emotional and mental health.”

To read more about this finding, please read the article in NY Daily News. Image Via Rocksee [Flickr]

Experts believe the reason for these health differences come down to depression, anxiety and other psychological issues that can greatly affect your health.

Researchers do point out that trying to avoid a divorce solely for health reasons may be a bad move though. Realistically, if you are greatly unhappy in your marriage, prolonging a divorce may still cause you great depression and anxiety. In these cases, you will still likely suffer the negative health effects.

“I would argue that if you can’t fix a marriage you’re better off out of it,” said Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, an Ohio State scientist who is an author of much of the research. “With a divorce you’re disrupting your life, but a long-term acrimonious marriage also is very bad.”

San Francisco divorce attorneys often recommend anyone considering a divorce go through mediation, the least aggressive form of divorce, and always speak with a doctor and psychologist as well. It is also recommended to continue eating right, exercising and to learn how to exercise proper stress management techniques while going through the divorce process.

To learn more about this ground breaking study, read the article in the Herald Tribune. Image Via merfam [Flickr]