Marital Conflict and Sexual Dysfunction in Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Couples

Abstract

SummaryMarital interaction appears to be relevant to alcoholism. This study compares two groups of couples, each presenting with sexual dysfunction. One group has an alcoholic member in each couple, one group does not. Data are presented suggesting that alcoholic marriages can be distinguished, in a clinically useful way, from other troubled marriages. Alcoholic husbands feel submissive, but are not being forced by their wives to be so. This suggests a therapeutic approach different from the one that would be taken if the wives were actually dominating.