• 18
  • January
    2012

Any couple going through a divorce is bound to experience a variety of emotions from sadness and anger to anxiety and even guilt. However, does this last emotion -- guilt -- somehow serve to make the divorce proceedings progress in a much more smooth and altogether amicable manner?

According to researchers at Ghent University in Belgium, the answer is a resounding yes.

These researchers recently published an intriguing and innovative study in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships examining the impact that certain negative emotions had on divorce.

Specifically, they looked at 457 divorcing couples who were an average age of 43.5, and whose marriages lasted an average of 15.5 years to determine how feelings of guilt and shame affected their divorce proceedings.

In regard to guilt, the researchers found that it actually fostered greater cooperation among the former spouses, with the suffering party more amenable to resolving issues peacefully than engaging in a prolonged legal battle.

"The stronger a person's feeling of guilt, the more he or she will accommodate the other, and try to find a good solution for both parties," said Anne Wietzker, one of the primary authors of the study. "He or she will also be less intimidating toward the other and will [be less likely] to force his or her will on the other."

Here, the authors describe a guilty spouse as being imbued with the "action tendency" of appeasement.

In regard to shame, the researchers found that it actually fostered less cooperation among spouses, with the suffering party more likely to seek a prolonged legal battle.

"The stronger a person's feelings of shame, the more conflict-avoiding and/or forcing or intimidating behavior the person will show," said Wietzker.

Here, the authors describe a shamed spouse as being imbued with the action tendency of retreat.

What are your thoughts on this study?

Stay tuned for more from our Tarrant County divorce blog ...

If you would like to learn more about divorce or divorce mediation, you should consider speaking with an experienced attorney.

The following post is provided for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.

Source:

Canada.com, "Feeling guilt leads to greater cooperation in divorce proceedings: Study" Jan. 16, 2012