The Neurotic Equilibrium in Married Couples Applying for Group Psychotherapy

Why do marriages which are basically neurotic survive? Why do married couples who live together in a basically neurotic relationship for a number of years suddenly seek psychiatric assistance? This paper raises these questions and finds that such marriages begin with mutually complementary-need syst...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of marriage and family 1964-02, Vol.26 (1), p.77-82
Main Authors: McGee, Thomas F., Kostrubala, Thaddeus
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acting out
Gratification
Group psychotherapy
Hostility
Husbands
Men
Social psychology
Social work
Spouses
Unconscious mind
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Summary:Why do marriages which are basically neurotic survive? Why do married couples who live together in a basically neurotic relationship for a number of years suddenly seek psychiatric assistance? This paper raises these questions and finds that such marriages begin with mutually complementary-need systems which quickly become interlaced. Since both partners obtain gratification for their neurotic needs, the marriage tends to endure. Psychiatric assistance is sought when some specific event occurs which clearly disrupts the neurotic equilibrium and alters the neurotic gratification each partner receives from the relationship.
ISSN:0022-2445
1741-3737
DOI:10.2307/349381