, the seventh year of a marriage is marked by the highest risk of divorce than at any other point in time. Famously dubbed as the “seven-year itch,” this strange pattern has been observed in marriages across the world, suggesting it to be a universally critical juncture for spouses everywhere. But why does this inauspicious itch emerge? And can it be scratched without damaging the marriage—or worse? Here’s what psychological research has to say.
Consequently, when life starts to feel monotonous or unfulfilling, it’s easy to see one’s marriage as the source of the itch—nudging them to look at it with a closer, more cynical eye. And from a psychological standpoint, taking a closer look at one’s marriage around the seven-year mark might not only feel natural, but it might actually be warranted too.
Just like a garden, relationships require constant maintenance. Without occasional weeding, watering or pruning, we know a garden will inevitably lose value. They wither, wilt and atrophy over time. For decades,has emphasized that maintenance behaviors can make or break relationship outcomes; with them, couples are reassured of their commitment to one another, and without them, they’re left wondering what went wrong.