{"id":67403,"date":"2021-06-29T04:57:45","date_gmt":"2021-06-29T04:57:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/?p=67403"},"modified":"2023-06-29T04:57:45","modified_gmt":"2023-06-29T04:57:45","slug":"how-to-deal-with-passive-aggressive-spouse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/communication\/how-to-deal-with-passive-aggressive-spouse\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Deal With a Passive Aggressive Spouse"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Crazy<\/p>\n

Most relationships have their <\/span>ups and downs<\/span><\/a>, and disagreements are natural from time to time.<\/span><\/p>\n

While most long-term couples find ways to cope with conflict and <\/span>keep their relationship strong<\/span><\/a>, passive aggressive spouses can make it difficult to get along.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here, learn what passive aggressive behavior is and how to deal with a passive aggressive spouse so you can enjoy a <\/span>happier, healthier relationship<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also Try: <\/i><\/b>Am I Passive-Aggressive Quiz<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n
<\/span>What does passive aggressive behavior mean in a marriage?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Dealing with passive aggressive behavior requires an understanding of what this type of behavior is. In a marriage, passive aggressive behavior occurs when someone is passively, rather than directly, aggressive toward their spouse.<\/span><\/p>\n
Instead of arguing or fighting back <\/span>when their spouse disagrees<\/span><\/a> or makes a request, passive aggressive spouses may procrastinate when asked to do a chore.<\/span><\/p>\n
They hold their emotions when they are angry or upset or show up late to events important to you to show their dislike for these events.<\/span><\/p>\n
When passive aggressive behaviors all have in common, they are indirect ways of expressing anger or frustration instead of tackling the issue head-on.<\/span><\/p>\n
Related Reading: <\/i><\/b>Passive Aggressive Behavior- Do You Have It?<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n
<\/span>What causes passive aggressive behavior?<\/span><\/h2>\n
There are several potential causes of passive aggressive personality traits. Consider the following explanations for what causes passive aggressive behavior:<\/span><\/p>\n
1. Childhood relationships<\/b><\/h3>\n
Passive aggressive spouses may have grown up with controlling or <\/span>authoritarian parents<\/span><\/a> who did not allow them to express their opinions or frustrations openly.<\/span><\/p>\n
This can lead to an adult who is passive in relationships and expresses disagreement through indirect methods, such as by quietly refusing to follow through with requests, by putting them off until the last minute, instead of directly expressing that they do not wish to complete the task.<\/span><\/p>\n
Related Reading: <\/i><\/b>Strict Parents Cause Behavioral Problems in Children<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n
2. Learned behavior<\/b><\/h3>\n
Similarly to behavior that develops through childhood relationships, someone may become a passive aggressive spouse if parents or other adults taught them that it was inappropriate to express intense emotions or anger.<\/span><\/p>\n
A child punished for showing strong emotions or invalidated when expressing feelings may learn to repress these feelings.<\/span><\/p>\n
A child can also learn to show passive aggressive personality traits by observing adults who behave in a passive aggressive fashion.<\/span><\/p>\n
T<\/b>o kno<\/b>w more about how childhood affects your relationships watch this video:<\/b><\/p>\n