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Marital Adjustment and Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

P. M. G. Emmelkamp ,
E. De Haan  and
C. A. L. Hoogduin
P. M. G. Emmelkamp*
Affiliation:
University of Groningen
E. De Haan
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Reinier de Graaf Hospital and Centre Sint Joris
C. A. L. Hoogduin
Affiliation:
K. U. Nijmegen, and Reinier de Graaf Hospital and Centre Sint Joris, The Netherlands
*
∗Academic Hospital, Department of Clinical Psychology, Oostersingel 59, 9713 EZ Groningen, The Netherlands
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Abstract

Fifty obsessive–compulsives were treated by behavioural therapy (self-exposure in vivo and response prevention) either with their partner directly involved in all aspects of treatment or without their partner. The two treatment formats were equally effective. Although a substantial number of obsessive–compulsives were found to have marital problems, behavioural treatment directed at the obsessive–compulsive disorder resulted in improvement irrespective of marital quality and partner involvement in the therapy. The effects of treatment led neither to a deterioration of the marriage nor to adjustment problems in the partner.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 156 , Issue 1 , January 1990 , pp. 55 - 60
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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