Poor communication and reluctance to avail professional marriage counselling could be the reason for the resent increase in divorce rates in the Middle East, experts say. Such a trend can be skipped if couples learn to overcome small issues.
"Poor communication and conflict resolution skills, insufficient quality time spent together, and a reluctance to seek marriage counselling are the main factors as to why we are witnessing an increasing divorce in the Gulf region," Dr. Mariam Alammadi, an award winning Bahraini psychologist and CEO of the Child & Family Foundation Centre in Bahrain, told the Daily Tribune.
"Based on my own experiences and interactions with patients at my centre, I have observed that communication is a major challenge for many couples There are many areas of communication where it is normal and relevant for couples to discuss them, but they simply cannot navigate them efficiently."
"Certain important topics, such as financial matters, common interests, and life goals, may not have been discussed prior to marriage, and they arise during the marriage. Not only that, but a lack of social support and sometimes misguided advice from friends can unnecessarily further complicate matters. Unrealistic expectations from both sets of families may also contribute to strain within the marriage. "However, she suggested that couples can also be too quick to discuss divorce when many problems that marriages undergo can improve and thrive with time and care.
So what can couples do to avoid divorce? "Many couples have found value in attending marriage counselling and have realised that they want to work through their challenges and preserve the positive aspects of their relationship,' Dr. Mariam said. She stressed that pre-marriage counselling can allow couples to align their expectations and goals before committing to a life together, lowering the outcome of divorce. "It is crucial for couples to be on the same page and openly discuss their hopes and concerns."
