What makes or breaks a relationship
It’s not easy to define what works in a relationship and what does not. Now, everyone has different opinions on the desirable features that they want a partner to have for a fulfilling relationship. However, a study published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin has listed down ten science-backed deal breakers for both short-term and long-term relationships.
Deal breakers are more important than deal makers
When we look for a compatible partner, we mostly concentrate on all the desirable traits and ignore the deal breakers. But according to the researchers, deal breakers-breakers are more important in shaping the course of a relationship than deal-makers. Let’s look out at the 10 deal-breakers in a long-term relationship that most people voted for.
Anger issues and abusive partner
It’s not easy to be in a relationship with a person who has anger issues and if he or she is an abusive partner, it becomes even worse. Such a person can scar a partner for life when they are in a long-term relationship.
Cheating
Relationships are based on trust and love. When someone breaks that trust, love alone cannot sustain the bond. A cheating partner is a big deal-breaker in a relationship.
Untrustworthy
It’s said, “You can always love a person you trust but you may not trust a person you love.” Trust is not merely confined to emotional or physical fidelity but there are so many things that require a person to trust his or her partner and when that is missing, it’s not easy to maintain a good relationship.
Already in a relationship or married
A lot of times people have affairs with someone married or who is already in a relationship. This is one of the biggest deal-breaker for the couple and can have an irreversible effect on their emotional health.
Health issues and STDs
Whether we admit it or not, it’s not easy to be in a relationship with a person who has serious medical conditions or STDs (sexually transmitted disease). According to the researchers, this is a major factor deciding the duration of a relationship.
Alcoholic partner
When a person is addicted to alcohol or any other substance, his or her partner too has to bear the brunt of the situation. And it leaves an irreparable dent on their relationship.
Emotionally unavailable or inattentive partner
Everything starts on a great note when we fall in love. As the relationship ages, a partner may grow detached and turn emotionally unavailable or inattentive. And this trait can change the fate of a long-term relationship and bring it to a slow end.
Sexual incompatibility
Although physical attraction plays a big role in any romantic relationship, a lot of times, couples just fall for each other based only on emotions. But if they are sexually incompatible, it can be detrimental for a long-term relationship.
Poor hygiene
Whether you accept it or not, it’s not easy to live with a partner who has poor hygiene. Either you will adjust or perish, and so will the fate of your relationship.
Body odour
Now, some people have poor hygiene and others just smell bad even if they take good care of themselves and groom regularly. A partner’s unbearable body odour or stale breath will only grow worse with time and might become a deciding factor behind the longevity of a relationship.
(All images used here are representational)