Some inter-personal factors which can contribute to marital disorder

These are factors which primarily concern the relationship between the partners rather than the specific fitness of either of them for marriage. Those who come into close contact with marital disorders find many examples of people who are individually well developed in every way, and able to get on well with all kinds of people, but yet find themselves in deep and destructive conflict with each other.

This has become more common in these days, partly because we expect much more from marriage in happiness and fulfilment than our grandparents seemingly did, and partly because of what is termed “the emancipation of women,” because of which they are no longer compelled to put up with tyranny and cruelty through dependence on their husbands. Modern marriage demands much more from the partners than ever before, and there are consequently many more risks of breakdown.

Disturbances in the quality of the marital relationship need therefore be considered in relation to the “role perceptions,” the “role expectations,” and the consequent “role frustrations” of the partners and of modern society. This social and cultural aspect will be dealt with in the next section, on environmental factors in marital disorder.

Tags: Counseling