| Abstract: | ![]()
Examined the effects of intensive behavior therapy on the husbands and marriages (mean length of 12.7 yrs) of 32 females with long-standing agoraphobia (mean length 9.5 yrs). Pre- and posttreatment assessments were made of Ss and their husbands to measure fear, hostility, experience, and husband's attitude. Further assessments were made at 3-, 6-, and 12-mo follow-up. In one pattern of marital interaction, couples had increased marital conflict and exposed problems relating to sex roles and wives' autonomy following rapid improvement in wives' phobias, assertiveness, and social confidence. 12 husbands developed psychological symptoms in relation to these problems, which also impeded wives' progress in the 1st 6 mo of follow-up. One year after treatment, marital systems had largely adapted, and both partners were more autonomous within the marriage. In the 2nd pattern of interaction, partners were protected from personal conflict in the 1st 6 mo followed by a mutual adherence to sex-role stereotypes. Husbands reported a marked decrease in psychological symptoms. In the last 6 mo of follow-up, conflict over sex-role stereotypes emerged, and the extent of the patient's continuing symptomatic improvement was determined mainly by the couples' success in resolving these conflicts. (21 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
