A new research has suggested that silent treatment can ruin a relationship.
The silent treatment is part of what's called a "demand-withdraw" pattern which happens when one partner pressures the other with requests, criticism or complaints and is met with avoidance or silence.
Paul Schrodt, Ph.D., professor and graduate director of communication studies at Texas Christian University said that it was the most common pattern of conflict in marriage or any committed, established romantic relationship and it did tremendous damage.
Research shows couples engaged in demand-withdraw pattern experience lower relationship satisfaction, less intimacy and poorer communication.
Schrodt asserted that partners get locked in this pattern, largely because they each saw the other as the cause.
The story is published in Communication Monographs.