‘Quiet quitting’ in marriage: The subtle signs a spouse has emotionally checked out

"Quiet quitting," a workplace term for doing only the minimum required, has also been used to describe a pattern in some marriages.

In relationships , the informal term refers to spouses who remain together while reducing their emotional effort, communication or involvement in the relationship.

Couples may continue managing day-to-day responsibilities, such as household tasks and parenting, even as one partner becomes emotionally and physically disengaged, relationship experts say. ‘NO CONTACT’ ON THE RISE: NEARLY 2 IN 5 AMERICANS CUT TIES WITH LOVED ONES Discussion of the term has gained traction on social media, with users sharing videos and posts about remaining in a marriage while feeling checked out.

Licensed marriage and family therapist Lisa Brookes Kift, of Marin Therapy and Counseling in California, told Fox News Digital that a noticeable absence of friction can be an early warning sign.

"It’s a myth that an absence of arguing in a relationship automatically means the relationship is healthy," Kift said.

"Many are conflict-avoidant and rather than address their feelings, opt to sweep them under the rug, which over the long term erodes the foundation of emotional safety ." Kift said a person’s attachment style — patterns of seeking closeness and support in relationships — can influence how they respond to marital distress.

CUT OFF BY YOUR ADULT CHILD? PSYCHOLOGY RESEARCHER REVEALS WHAT PARENTS SHOULD DO NEXT "An avoidant style may be more able to stay in their own lane — on their own island — to ride it out, because they are most comfortable resourcing in themselves," she said.

Those with a more secure attachment style are less likely to stay in that dynamic, as they may be more inclined to give a partner the benefit of the doubt and believe problems can be worked through, the expert noted.

These patterns can be shaped, in part, by early experiences involving trust, worthiness and whether a person’s emotional needs were met, according to Kift.

"What did they learn about whether their needs would be met? Whether the most important people to them could be trusted? That they were lovable for who they were and not what they did?" Kift asked.

When adult relationships appear to repeat those early disappointments, partners can lose hope, she added.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER "I’ve seen quite a few people in my therapy practice who have taken this stance, where there have been failed attempts to get emotional and other needs met, leading to hopelessness," Kift said.

Kift identified several early signs that a partner may be becoming emotionally disengaged.