Relationship Breakdown Root Cause Test | Pinpoint Your Core Conflict Source

1. Theoretical Basis: Relationship Deterioration Model (Gottman & Levenson, 2000)

This test is based on decades of research on marriage and intimate relationships by the famous psychologist John Gottman and his team. Through long-term observation in the 'Love Lab,' Gottman proposed the core predictors of relationship deterioration, including: criticism, contempt, defensiveness, stonewalling (the 'Four Horsemen'), as well as deeper factors such as the collapse of trust and mismatched life dreams.

Gottman's research shows that a relationship breakup does not happen suddenly, but is the result of negative interaction patterns accumulating over time. Based on this theory, combined with attachment theory and conflict resolution models, this test helps you pinpoint the possible core conflict sources in your relationship.

2. What Is the Root Cause of a Relationship Breakdown?

The 'root cause of a relationship breakdown' does not refer to a single argument or event, but a deep-seated problem pattern that exists long-term and recurs in the relationship. It may manifest as:

• Broken Trust: a lack of security, suspicion, concealment, or experiences of betrayal
• Value Conflict: fundamentally inconsistent life goals, views on money, views on family, and lifestyles
• Communication Paralysis: pointless arguments, silent treatment, blame, or avoidance, unable to truly solve problems
• Emotional Distance: decreased intimacy, lack of emotional support, and spreading loneliness
• External Pressure: external factors such as work, finances, or family interference continuously eroding the relationship

3. The Five Core Dimensions of This Test

This test has 20 questions, covering the five key dimensions of relationship deterioration:

• Trust and Security: Assess whether there is suspicion, concealment, or a sense of betrayal in the relationship.
• Core Value Alignment: Assess the compatibility of both parties on fundamental issues such as life goals, money, and family.
• Communication and Conflict Handling: Assess argument patterns, the frequency of silent treatment, and problem-solving ability.
• Emotional Intimacy and Support: Assess the quality of emotional connection, empathy, and daily support.
• External Pressure Tolerance: Assess the impact of the external environment on the relationship and your ability to cope together.

4. Purpose and Target Audience

This test is not meant to 'judge who's right or wrong,' but to help you see more clearly the possible blind spots and hidden risks in the relationship. It is suitable for:

• Couples currently confused about the relationship, arguing repeatedly, or in a silent treatment
• People who want to identify relationship risks in advance and prevent a breakup
• People who have experienced a breakup or divorce and want to reflect on past patterns
• Learners interested in the psychology of intimate relationships

5. Scoring Method and Result Explanation

Each question is scored 1-5, from 'strongly disagree' to 'strongly agree.' The system will calculate your scores on the five dimensions and, combining the total score and the dimension range, give your relationship risk type and personalized repair advice.