A survey of 2,000 long-term couples in the UK has revealed that friendship, a shared sense of humor, and comfortable silence are the most critical elements in maintaining a strong relationship.
According to the study, 80% of respondents identified friendship as the foundation of their lasting relationships, followed by loyalty (58%) and a similar sense of humor (51%). Surprisingly, only 41% of couples considered monogamy essential, equating its significance to watching TV together. Likewise, intimacy ranked low, with just 35% of participants viewing it as a key factor for long-term commitment. More than half (56%) of respondents even stated that passion in relationships is overrated.
Previous research has suggested that intimacy seven times a month is linked to marital satisfaction. A 2023 study involving 2,000 couples found that 43% believed honesty and the absence of secrets were crucial, while 31% emphasized resolving conflicts before going to bed. Additionally, Australian research indicated that a nine-year age gap between partners significantly increases the risk of divorce, and couples who had children before marriage were twice as likely to separate compared to those who started a family post-marriage.
Interestingly, factors such as nationality, religion, and education level had little influence on relationship longevity, reinforcing the idea that interpersonal compatibility and shared values play a more significant role in sustaining long-term partnerships.
