Are there universal pillars of a relationship?
A short list of principles cannot predict a relationship’s future.
Understanding the topic
Safety, reciprocity and accountability are possible topics for reflection on a relationship. They can be topics for discussion, but we do not present this list as a validated scientific model.
What the research says
Bühler and Orth followed 2,268 people for up to 20 years. Satisfaction was lower and declined more strongly in relationships that ended than in those that continued.
Source for this section: Janina Larissa Bühler, Ulrich Orth
Limits of these findings
These are group differences, not a breakup threshold for a particular couple. The study does not establish three essential pillars or a deadline for improvement.
An optional starting point
You could reflect on shared decisions and agreements you would like to revisit. You and the other person may have different answers; there is no need to combine them into one score.
Key point
Takeaway
Research on satisfaction trajectories is not a recipe for relationship stability.
Read further
Sources
Janina Larissa Bühler, Ulrich Orth. How relationship satisfaction changes within and across romantic relationships: Evidence from a large longitudinal study. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2024.
Badanie podłużne / longitudinal study
DOI: 10.1037/pspp0000492
Sources support the identified sections. Sample sentences and exercises are original suggestions, not validated interventions.
How we prepare content