Contempt and Relationships

Studies have thown that being the object of contempt by your partner can be so stressful that it can even interfere with the functioning of your immune system. According to John Gottman, author of "The Mathematics of Divorce", contempt (different from criticism and closely related to disgust) is often used by both males and females to exclude someone from the relationship or community. It can be lethal to the long-term success of a relationship. You may want to evaluate the concept of contempt--in your own behaviors as well as in the behaviors of others toward you.