Couples who get drunk collectively keep collectively, say scientists
New research has revealed that partners who share similar drinking habits are much less likely to split up, whether that’s being teetoal together or big boozers
Couples who get drunk together stay together, boffins claim.
New research has revealed partners who enjoy sharing a bottle of wine or two are less likely to split up.
And similar drinking habits, whether it’s being teetotal or a big boozer, are a major sign of a happy marriage.
Researchers also found that a mismatch in drinking habits can raise the risk of divorce.
The team, from the University of Buffalo, New York, said: “With respect to marital satisfaction and divorce, the key predictor seems to be whether the members of the couple can establish patterns of consumption that foster closer relationships.
“Alcohol consumption which is not excessive, and which occurs primarily when the couple is together, can serve a positive function.”
Boffins probed dozens of previous research papers which focused on the effects of booze on relationships.
Couples who like to get sozzled together said they were far more satisfied in their relationships compared to those where only one person got hammered often.
One paper in the review was published by a separate team from the University of Buffalo.
It found hubbies and wives who drank the same amount together were happier than those who consumed the same amount but separately.
The paper said: “The findings suggest that alcohol use may be a part of the couple’s socialising and may increase interaction, thereby increasing marital satisfaction”.”
Another study cited, published in 2012, examined alcohol use among couples in New Zealand.
Those who reported drinking similar amounts and at similar times had better marriages.
Another study probed 642 married couples which found relationships where only one partner drank heavily reported much lower marital happiness than other spouses.
