FORGET the proverbial seven-year itch.<\/p>\n
Not to disillusion the half million or so June brides and bridegrooms who were just married, but new research suggests that the spark may fizzle within only three years.<\/p>\n
Researchers analyzed responses from two sets of married or cohabitating couples: one group was together for one to three years, the other for four to six years.<\/p>\n
While the researchers could not pinpoint a precise turning point \u201d\u201d the seven-year itch, as popularized in the play and film about errant husbands, was largely a theory \u201d\u201d they found distinct differences between the groups.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know the earlier ones are happier,\u201d\u009d said Prof. Kelly Musick, a University of Southern California sociologist. \u201cThe initial boost that marriage seems to provide fades over time.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n