Do crises strengthen or weaken relationships?

Both. Compatible couples emerge stronger from shared adversity. Incompatible couples often crack under pressure. The difference: compatible couples face the crisis together (united front), communicate openly about fear, and prioritize the relationship. Incompatible couples withdraw, blame, or isolate.

What does a compatible crisis response look like?

Showing up (being present physically and emotionally), accepting partner's grief differently than yours (you grieve differently; both are valid), dividing tasks fairly (one person shouldn't carry all logistics), and checking in regularly: "How are you?" not "Are you OK yet?" Compatible couples don't expect the other to process at their speed.

Can a crisis reveal incompatibility?

Absolutely. If your partner becomes cruel during stress, withdraws completely, or blames you for the crisis, that's serious incompatibility. If they step up, offer support even clumsily, and work through it with you, you're compatible. Crisis is the truest test.