Couple's conflict as associated to gender violence against women: consequences on sexual and mental health

Abstract

The persistence of a chronic conflict in couple's relationship is related to an increased probability of gender violence as well to negative consequences on sexual and mental health. In this study we have analyzed the relationship among psychosocial factors and the presence of couple’s conflict, and the association between this conflict and the appearance of sexual and mental disorders and/or dysfunctions. For this purpose a sample of 39 heterosexual couples with unsatisfactory couple relationships had been studied. The results revealed that the strategies to cope with conflicts are deficitaires to both sexes. Regarding sexual behavior, women but no men showed dysfunctions in all the phases of the sexual life. As for as the mental health, all the subjects with clinical depressive symptoms, and most of those with low self-esteem and high anxiety-state, were included in the group who reported couple conflict.