Want to live happily ever after?
Then you and your spouse better have good genes.
Researchers at Boston University have concluded that there is a significant genetic influence on whether or not a marriage stands the test of time.
The researchers compared marriage and divorce rates in approximately 8,000 identical and nonidentical male twins.
They found that identical twins, who share the same genes, were more likely to divorce than non-identical twins, who only share about half their genes.
Dr. Michael Lyons, who led the research, said the genetic influence on divorce is linked to factors such as depression, drug abuse and alcoholism, which have a genetic component.
“Almost any kind of psychopathology is going to make staying married harder,” he said.
But genes appear no role in the decision to marry or not.