What is the relationship between absence of positive affect and divorce risk?

What is the relationship between absence of positive affect and divorce risk?

• A. Positive affect has no impact on divorce risk.
• B. The absence of positive affect is a stronger predictor of divorce than the presence of negative affect.
• C. The presence of negative affect is a stronger predictor.
• D. Divorce is unrelated to affect.

Answer: (B)

In Gottman theory, positive affect signals warmth, appreciation, and emotional connection, and the ongoing presence of positive interactions is a strong protector of relationship health. The key finding is that the absence of positive affect is a stronger indicator of long-term divorce risk than merely having negative affect. When positive affect is scarce, couples drift toward disengagement—they feel less valued, less understood, and less motivated to invest in repairs—so the relationship erodes even if conflicts aren’t highly negative. In contrast, negative affect can occur in both stable and distressed couples, but as long as positive moments and warmth are maintained, the relationship can weather conflicts and repair more easily. Therefore, a lack of positive affect predicts dissolution more reliably because it signals ongoing emotional withdrawal and loss of closeness.

In Gottman theory, positive affect signals warmth, appreciation, and emotional connection, and the ongoing presence of positive interactions is a strong protector of relationship health. The key finding is that the absence of positive affect is a stronger indicator of long-term divorce risk than merely having negative affect. When positive affect is scarce, couples drift toward disengagement—they feel less valued, less understood, and less motivated to invest in repairs—so the relationship erodes even if conflicts aren’t highly negative. In contrast, negative affect can occur in both stable and distressed couples, but as long as positive moments and warmth are maintained, the relationship can weather conflicts and repair more easily. Therefore, a lack of positive affect predicts dissolution more reliably because it signals ongoing emotional withdrawal and loss of closeness.