DNA Could Predict A Happy Marriage
Move over soul mates. Hello DNA mates! A new study has found a variation in our genetic coding can predict our abilities to experience high levels of gratitude, trust, and satisfaction during the marriage.
But if you’re a few years into marriage and not feeling as happy about your relationship as you did when you tied the knot, this doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you on a molecular level. The study found everyone reports being less happy in their marriage three years after their wedding day. It’s just that people with a particular variation in their DNA – the CC variation – experience greater relationship satisfaction than others and the researchers say it’s because they also feel more trusting of their partner.
The researchers also want to be clear that this does not mean there are people doomed to hate their spouse after a few years of marital bliss. University of Arkansas psychology professor Anastasia Makhanova says these findings just mean “those people just might have to work a little more consciously to show their partner gratitude, forgiveness, and trust in order to achieve and sustain marital satisfaction.” So when in doubt, be a good boo and you’ll be fine.
