For many people, abusive behavior and infidelity are signs that a marriage is beyond repair. Abuse is never okay, and help is available if you are experiencing it. But some marriages can survive infidelity. Psychologists John and Julie Gottman, who have spent decades studying marriage, identified four strong predictors of divorce: criticism, stonewalling, defensiveness, and contempt. If one or more is present, or the partner exhibiting the behavior is unwilling to examine or change it, the marriage may be beyond repair.