What are signs a man is unhappy in his marriage?

Hi hoop_holly, it's understandable you want to be supportive of your friend during a challenging time in his marriage. While each relationship is unique, here are a few common signs a man may be unhappy:
  • Spending more time away from home and less quality time with his spouse
  • Being less emotionally open and increasingly distant or withdrawn
  • Showing less interest in shared activities and hobbies they used to enjoy together
  • Putting less effort into communication, both in terms of frequency and depth
  • Increased irritability, criticism or lack of patience with his partner

Of course, these behaviors don’t automatically mean a marriage is in trouble. Life stresses, work demands, mental health issues and other factors can also cause temporary changes.

The healthiest approach is to let your friend know you’re there to listen without judgment if he wants to talk. Avoid making assumptions or giving unsolicited advice. Ultimately, it’s up to him to share what he’s comfortable with and decide how he wants to handle his marriage. Just focus on being a supportive presence he can lean on.