Dr Cassie says there are stages in a couple's life when a partner may be more vulnerable to checking out.

It can be life transitions around work and career, even moving into retirement.

Even perimenopause is a really key one as well because the hormonal aspect around I'm kind of burnt out, I can't carry all the things I once carried.

But the one I invariably tend to see is starting a family.

Sure.

That seems to be the most... sort of standout one.

So I think those are really big times that there is a transition in terms of the change in the nature of the relationship and perhaps requiring someone to step up more.

The second pillar of secure attachment is responsiveness.