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March 16, 2009
Research suggests women in strained marriages more likely to suffer from depression, metabolic symptoms
WebMD (3/4, Hendrick) reported that "women in tense, strained marriages are more likely than men to suffer from mental problems like depression, but also dangerous physiological conditions, such as high blood pressure and obesity," a study by researchers at the University of Utah suggests.
The study also found that strained marriages "cause depression in men," but "men in such relationships, unlike women, aren't at increased risk of developing the physiological conditions of metabolic syndrome."
During the study, researchers had "276 couples married an average of two decades" fill out questionnaires concerning their marriage and submit to a medical screening. Researchers found that "women reporting more marital strain were more likely to report depressive symptoms" and "had more metabolic syndrome symptoms," while "men in bad marriages reported depressive symptoms unrelated to any signs of metabolic syndrome."
One researcher noted that the "gender difference they found is important because heart disease is the biggest killer of women, as well as men, and 'we are still learning a lot about how relationship factors and emotional distress are related to heart disease.'"
Related Links:
- "Bad Marriages Take Health Toll on Women," Bill Hendrick, WebMD, March 4, 2009.
Posted by admin at March 16, 2009 06:57 PM