Prevalence and consequences of spouse conflict in primary care

Abstract

            Objective The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence, the potential risk factors and the consequences of spousal conflict among patients consulting physicians in a primary care setting.            Methods Stratified random sampling of 460 participants from a university primary care setting was conducted by using the spousal conflict questionnaires with Likert’s scale. Its alpha coefficient reliability was 0.814. The percentage, chi-square, odds ratio, and logistic regression were used to analyze data.            Results Findings revealed that 83.9% of the sample had conflicts with their spouses during the previous 12 months. The conflict events occurred seldom and occasionally at 30.2%, while often (once or twice a month) and always (every week) at 59.1% Young adult women and a high school level of education of men were less likely to have conflict with their spouses. One partner decision making was 1.698 times (95%CI 1.058-2.726) of having spousal conflict as compared to jointly decision making. Regular alcohol consumption by women was more likely to have conflict than by men at 4.589 times (95% CI 1.307-16.116) and 2.122 times (95% CI 1.413-3.187) respectively as compared to those who did not drink. Avoiding was the most commonly used conflict managing method, following by verbal abuse and physical abuse. After management of conflict, more closeness and affective bond among spouses was 17.3% and unpleasant relationship was 82.4%.            Conclusions Findings indicate that conflict between spouses is a prevalent health problem in primary care setting. The magnitude and patterns of conflict between spouses were established. During patient care, healthcare providers should take spousal relationship, conflicting matter between partnership and factors associated with violence into consideration in order to decrease and prevent escalating conflict and domestic violence.