Psychological Determinants of Marital Conflict in Women

Abstract

Aim of the Study: Marriage is a wonderful relationship of respect and love.  This relationship could be stabilized by the contribution of love and care by both partners. In the absence of this contribution the relationship of love and care can lose the stability and may create conflict in the marital relationship. Marriage conflicts are commonly discords, unconcordance and wrangles between the spouses. The study took place to identify the psychological antecedents of marital conflict among women.

Methodology: Purposive sampling technique was used to select twelve married women. Only women in the current study were chosen who are at a place where they stay with their husband. The semi structured interviews were applied; the participants and their stories studied inductively to find out common themes.

Findings: Themes that came after thematic analysis are: emotional detachment, sexual dissatisfaction, loss of autonomy and personal identity, age gap and psychological compatibility and physical and psychological abuse.

Conclusion: The current research indicates that in married women, some of the key determinants of conflict in marriage are emotional detachment, sexual dissatisfaction, loss of autonomy and personal identity, age gap and psychological incompatibility, and physical and psychological abuse was one of the major themes. These not only influence the marital life of a women but these are highly disrupting their mental and physical health, their home life, their productivity and socialization even to their children.