A recent study from America into relationship breakdown and separation has found that 79% of couples who separate will eventually go on to divorce, reports USA Today.
The study, which was carried out by researchers at Ohio State University, found that a first separation lasts on average for four years. Couples that then go on to divorce are most likely to do so within the first three years of a separation. Separated couples that reunite generally do so after two years.
"We don't observe any separations that end with the couple getting back together after a three-year period, so three years is the point of no return," said researcher Dmitry Tumin. "After three years, the only outcomes observed are ongoing separation or divorce."
