A gerontologist has uncovered common advice for couples walking down the aisle or decades into marriage. To capture the voice of lived experience, the study included a random national survey of nearly 400 Americans age 65 and older, asking how to find a compatible partner and other advice on love and relationships. In subsequent in-person interviews with more than 300 long-wedded individuals — those in unions of 30, 40, 50, or more years — the study captured more insights for overcoming common marriage troubles. The team of researchers interviewed divorced individuals, too, asking how others might avoid marital breakups.

 

• Learn to communicate
• Get to know your partner very well before marrying
• Treat marriage as an unbreakable, lifelon commitment
• Learn to work as a team
• Choose a partner who is very similar to you

Read more: Cornell University. "Love, factually: Gerontologist finds the formula to a happy marriage." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 17 June 2015. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/06/150617134613.htm.

 

Find out more about the Legacy Project at:  http://legacyproject.human.cornell.edu