Talk to Dr. Chafetz now : 469-233-5566
Paul K. Chafetz, PhD Clinical Psychology
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  • Home
  • Services
  • About
  • Contact
    • Send Dr. Chafetz a Message
    • Contact Information >
      • Office Location
    • Upcoming Events
    • New patient registration forms
    • Site Map
  • Blog
  • Media
    • Speaking Engagements
    • Articles
    • Quizzes
    • Other Media
  • Services
    • Adult Psychology >
      • Midlife Crisis Depression
      • Dealing With Empty Nest Syndrome
      • Adjustment To Retirement
      • Caregiver Support
      • Dealing with Adult Children
      • Dealing with Elderly Parents
      • Dealing With Difficult Relatives
      • Authority and Responsibility in Families
      • Boomerang adult children
      • BOOM: Becoming one's own man
    • Health Psychology >
      • Depression Psychotherapy
      • Anxiety Therapy
      • Insomnia Therapy
      • Chronic Illness Therapy
      • Pain Management Therapy
    • Psychology of Life >
      • Self-Esteem Therapy
      • Stages of Life Psychology
      • Assertiveness Therapy
      • Psychology of Forgiveness
      • Family Psychotherapy
      • Birth Order Psychology
    • Clinical Gero-Psychology >
      • Grief Therapy
      • Dementia Therapy
      • Coping with Senility
    • Forensic Gero-Psychology >
      • Competence to sign a will
      • Contesting a will
      • Guardianship
      • Vulnerability to exploitation
    • Need a speaker?
  • Past Events

Long-Term Marriage

In the US, about 55% of adults over 15 are married.  About 95% of US adults between 15 and 55 y.o. have ever been married.  Among Americans 65 and over, a strong gender difference exists in percentage currently married (74 % of males vs. 43% of females), and in percentage currently widowed (13.7% of males vs 43.5% of females).  These numbers reflect the fact that, at every stage of life from conception through late life, females survive at a higher rate than males.  The population gender balance is perfect for 20 year olds, and the shortage of men grows steadily thereafter.

Emotional behavior in long term marriage was studied by Carstensen, Gottman, and Levenson (1995).  These authors found fascinating similarities and differences between older couples (age 60+ and married 35+ years), middle aged couples (age 40-50 and married 15+ years), and young adult couples (average age 30 yrs.) typically studied in marital interaction research.

Similarities across adult epochs spans included:
-  When asked to discuss difficult topics, most couples maintain a neutral emotional approach, uninfected with toxic emotions.
-  Wives show more total emotion, negative emotion, anger , joy, contempt, whining, and sadness than do husbands. 
-  Husbands are generally more neutral and more defensive, avoiding conflict.

Ways older couples differ from younger and middle aged couples include:
-  More use of active strategies to limit their experience of negative emotions and resolve conflicts congenially.
-  More communication of positive feelings and affection for each other.

Dr. Chafetz works with married couples of all ages to master the skills that promote happy and meaningful marriages and personal growth.
Phone : 469.233.5566
Email :
PKChafetz@gmail.com
Paul K. Chafetz, PhD: Clinical Psychologist, Psychotherapist
Office Location: 8340 Meadow Rd., #134, Dallas, TX  75231