Marriage may bring more than a change in relationship status. A study has found that the first two years of marriage can be accompanied by significant changes in the personalities and emotional well-being of newlywed couples.
Researchers from the University of Georgia and the University of California examined how marriage influences personality traits and relationship satisfaction during the early years of married life.
The study found that newlyweds experienced noticeable personality changes, with some of these shifts potentially influencing how satisfied they felt with their relationships over the longer term.
During the first 18 months of marriage, husbands reportedly became more inclined to rely on their wives and increasingly focused their attention on their spouses rather than the outside world.
The researchers also found improvements in several areas of wives’ emotional well-being. Symptoms associated with anxiety, depression, insecurity and stress declined during the early period of marriage.
The positive personality and emotional changes were observed among couples across different age groups, suggesting that the effects were not limited to younger newlyweds.
However, researchers also identified a less positive change: husbands and wives became less similar to each other in certain personality characteristics over time.
Overall, the researchers concluded that marriage can bring substantial changes in both men’s and women’s personalities soon after they enter married life, and that these changes may have implications for the quality and stability of relationships over the longer term.
The findings were published in the journal Developmental Psychology.
Earlier research from Binghamton University, published in 2024, also highlighted the importance of perceived spousal support. Researchers found that feeling unsupported by a partner can contribute to increased physical stress and elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
Cortisol plays a role in regulating mood, motivation and behavioural responses. Researchers said people’s expectations about how their partners will respond in different situations can become stronger over time, making perceived support an important part of long-term relationships.
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