Genetic Factors

Studies have shown that as many as 40 percent of divorces are caused by genetic factors that affect personality and behavior.

The relationship between personality and divorce is clear.

• Extroversion (interest in or behavior directed toward others or one's environment rather than oneself)  is related to risk of divorce, particularly in men.
• Neuroticism (tendency to experience negative emotional states, more likely than the average to experience such feelings as anxiety, anger, guilt, depressed mood and respond more poorly to environmental stress, and are more likely to interpret ordinary situations as threatening, and minor frustrations as hopelessly difficult) elevates the risk of divorce for both men and women.