How wedded bliss is part of our DNA

THE chances of wedded bliss are inherited from parents – but not through following their example.

Rather it is in the DNA, according to a study.

The US research suggests certain genes influence how people fare in a long-term relationship.

Researchers who tracked 150 married couples for more than 20 years found a link between relationship fulfilment and a gene variant known as 5-HTTLPR, which is involved in the regulation of the ‘feel good’ chemical serotonin.

All humans inherit a copy of this variant – either long or short – from each parent. Those with one or two long variants were far less bothered by the emotional mood of their marriages.

But those who inherit two short ones are likelier to thrive in a good relationship and suffer in a bad one.

Robert Levenson, of the University of California, Berkeley, said: ‘We now understand much more about what determines just how important emotions are for different people.’