Millennial and Gen Z couples are entering marriage with dramatically different expectations than previous generations—and it’s reshaping the landscape of marital mental health. A cross-generational study published in Psychological Science compared the marital satisfaction and mental health outcomes of 1,000 couples from Baby Boomer, Gen X, Millennial, and Gen Z cohorts, revealing significant shifts in what partners demand from their relationships.
Younger generations prioritize emotional fulfillment and personal growth within marriage to an unprecedented degree. While this leads to higher standards for communication and mutual support, it also creates new pressures. Many Millennial and Gen Z participants reported “optimization anxiety”—the stress of constantly working to “improve” their relationship through therapy apps, self-help books, and relationship workshops. Paradoxically, this relentless focus on perfection sometimes undermines the very happiness they seek.
In contrast, older generations often viewed marriage through a more pragmatic lens, valuing stability over emotional intensity. While this approach led to lower divorce rates, the study found it sometimes came at the cost of unaddressed mental health issues like depression or quiet resentment.
Therapists observe that each generation could learn from the other: younger couples might benefit from embracing some degree of marital “good enough,” while older couples could adopt more open communication about emotional needs. This generational perspective offers valuable insights for mental health professionals working with couples at different life stages.
