Marital adjustment involves partners adapting to new roles as a team rather than as separate units. It requires maintaining open communication, sharing interests and values, and expressing care for one another. A marital relationship forms the foundation of family life through the union of a man and woman as husband and wife. Causes of misunderstanding in marriage can include infidelity, feeling unloved, and conflicts over relationship roles where partners have different expectations for how they and their spouse should behave.