Mental health professionals have long debated about the relationship
between marital stress and the mental health of women. An article published in
Medical News Today March 5, 2009, “Marital Strain Harms Women More Than Men,”
examines this issue. The article reports on a study presented at the American
Psychosomatic Society's 2009 annual meeting in Chicago. The researchers studied, “…276
couples who had been married for an average of 20 years and were aged between
40 and 70 years….The participants filled in several questionnaires…covering
positive aspects of marriage quality (eg mutual support, emotional warmth,
friendliness, confiding in each other), negative aspects of marriage quality
(eg arguments, hostility, disagreements) and symptoms of depression (not
necessarily full blown clinical depression)…
The participants also underwent physical exams where blood pressure, waist
measurement, good cholesterol, fasting glucose and blood fats were measured.”
The results of the study were concerning. “….Women who reported more marital
strain had more metabolic syndrome symptoms, and that association can be
explained by the fact they also reported more depressive symptoms." There
are several important implications of this study. First, adult married women who
are experiencing significant marital stress should consult a qualified mental
health professional to determine their current and future risk of medical
disorders. Second, mental health professionals who treat adult married women
who report marital stress should routinely screen for medical problems in these
patients. Third, spouses of adult married women who are experiencing marital
stress should educate themselves with the help of a qualified mental health
professional to understand they can help their spouse reduce marital stress. Fourth,
public health professionals should educate the public about the link between marital
stress and medical disorders. The researchers conclude, “….improving aspects of
intimate relationships might help [a woman’s] emotional and physical
well-being".
The Bottom Line:
The results of this study strongly suggest marital stress can harm a woman’s
health.
Reference:
Original article
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Dr. Jeffrey SpellerDr. Tanya Korkosz
Psychopharmacology Associates of New England
www.psychopharmassociates.com
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