Getting along with your in-laws is never easy, but it could make or break your relationship according to some new research from America.

Apparently, husbands who have a good relationship with their in-laws have a 20 per cent higher chance of avoiding a divorce later on in their marriage. It sounds promising, right?

However, if you’re a woman getting on with your in-laws could spell trouble. The research revealed that if a woman gets on well with her partner’s parents, there is a 20 per cent chance that she will end up splitting from her partner at a later stage.

What’s the reason for this? Well according to researchers at the University of Michigan, women who enjoy spending time with their in-laws may become too involved with their husband’s family, to the point where wives start to believe that their in-laws are meddling in their relationship.

On the other hand, men don’t share the same kind of worries and are happy enough to let the friendship with their in-laws develop naturally.

How would you describe your relationship with your in-laws?

According to Dr Terri Orbuch, who led the study, it’s a positive thing if men get on well with their in-laws because “these ties connect the husband to the wife.”

However, it’s much more different for us womenfolk.

“Because relationships are so important to women, their identity as a wife and mother is central to their being,” said Dr Orbuch.

“They interpret what their in-laws say and do as interference into their identity as a spouse and parent,” she added.

Do you get on with your in-laws? Do you think having a good relationship with them could end up having a negative impact on your relationship with your man?