Study: Older couples avoid arguments in marraige

Older couples try to avoid potentially toxic conversations

DETROIT – Older couples are giving the secret to a long marriage: ignore the nagging and change the subject.  A new study done at San Francisco State shows that middle-age and older couples tend to demonstrate avoidance during conflict. They move from potentially toxic topics to ones that are more pleasant. Experts said this isn't very healthy. Avoiding an issue could damage a relationship because it usually doesn't get resolved.

The age of the partners in a marriage appears to drive this shift in communication, but the change might also be influenced by the length of the relationship.