Psychologist Reveals Warning Signs for Divorce
Many aspire to eternal happiness in relationships, but the reality can be less ideal. Clinical psychologist Dr. Kathy Nickerson, specializing in affair recovery, has highlighted four key indicators that a relationship may be on the path to divorce. Speaking to her TikTok audience of 193,000 followers, Dr. Nickerson introduced these red flags as Gottman’s Four Horsemen, behaviors to be vigilant about in relationships. She explained that these behaviors predict a breakup or divorce in over 90% of cases, based on research by Dr. John Gottman of The Gottman Institute.
During our research study, my team and I asked these couples to spend fifteen minutes in the lab trying to resolve an ongoing disagreement they were having while we videotaped them.
Dr. Nickerson elaborated on these behaviors, starting with contempt, where outward disgust for a partner is displayed through eye-rolling and other negative gestures. Criticism, constantly finding faults in one’s partner, was highlighted as another detrimental behavior. She stressed that stonewalling, a lack of listening and engagement with the partner, and defensiveness, where one avoids responsibility and dismisses their partner’s concerns, are also warning signs for a relationship’s end.
Social media users engaged with the post, sharing personal experiences and reflections. While some recognized the presence of these behaviors in their own relationships, others expressed gratitude for the insight provided by Dr. Nickerson. Understanding and addressing these warning signs may help couples navigate challenges and work towards healthier, more fulfilling relationships.