Psychiatric symptoms of maritally-distressed wives and husbands.

The relationship between marital distress and psychiatric symptoms of wives and husbands was investigated by comparing the number, intensity, and types of symptoms reported by each spouse in a group of maritally-distressed couples. Wives reported a significantly higher number and intensity of symptoms on the overall SCL-90 and on four of the eight sub-scales. Possible explanations for these findings are discussed.