Posted on 09/04/2007 8:08:13 AM PDT by Grig
A study has found that women who use the 'silent treatment' with their spouses during arguments could be on their way to early deaths.
"This is the first time we've seen anything this dramatic that predicts death or heart disease that's not physiological," Dr. Elaine Eaker, who authored the study, told CTV's Canada AM.
The study found that women who silenced themselves during marital disagreements were four times more likely to die earlier than women who expressed their feelings during arguments with their spouses.
However, Eaker found that the health of men who indulged in the same "self-silencing" practice were not adversely affected.
"Even though men and women are equally as likely to, what we call 'self-silence,' during conflict, men did not have any affects on their health if they 'self-silenced' -- it was only the women that suffered detrimental affects on their health," Eaker said.
The study, called "Marital Status, Marital Strain, and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease or Total Mortality: The Framingham Offspring Study," published in the journal Psychomatic Medicine, was based on data from the Framingham Heart Study.
The Framingham Heart study follows over 5,000 men and women in the town of Framingham, Ma. and tracks their health over an extended period of time. The study is credited with providing much of the common knowledge into how diet and exercise affect heart disease.
In Eaker's study, traditional methods of determining marital quality such as the level of satisfaction and the amount of conflict were measured. However, the study also asked what behaviour strategies were used during marital conflicts.
Eaker said the actual practice of 'self-silencing,' not depression or anger, actually caused the health problems, even when other factors such as age, socio-economic background, levels of cholesterol and obesity were taken into account.
"It was the self-silencing that seemed to be particularly detrimental," Eaker said.
The most common illness suffered by women who often used 'silent treatment' with their partners was cancer and the next common affliction was heart disease.
According to Eaker, the study she conducted was the first to look at the factors of behaviour, heart disease and mortality in the context of marital relationships.
Couples should focus on improving their communication to combat "self-silencing," Eaker said.
"I think it goes back to trying to have more constructive communication and having a safe environment where both spouses can equally share and communicate," Eaker said.
Thanks for reminding me...as the male, it is always my fault!
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That ain’t no joke brother! That is rule number one. The only defense is to refuse to knuckle under, you have to be like the man who, when his wife threatens to leave, does not blink an eye but offers to help her pack in a polite tone. She may actually leave but in the long run it is the only way to live with a woman. Every woman is compelled by some demon inside her to try and turn her man into a little boy. If you let her do it then she is miserable and you are too.
Evidently you’ve been wearing blush “Elaine”.......we still on for Friday night ?
Wear something sexy, don’t forget the weed eater and the jumper cables.
I’ll bring the 5 gallons of wesson !
You betcha!
How right you are!
I wonder what other illnesses this might invite ~ perhaps MS?
Reminds me of another joke:
Man comes home and sits in front of the TV and says to his wife; “could you please get me a beer before it starts?”
The wife complies and brings the man a beer.
Soonafter, the man finishes the beer and again asks his wife; “please bring me anther beer before it starts.”
His wife is a little preturbed but does comply, bringing the man a cold beer.
The man finishes the beer and asks his wife if she’ll bring him another “before it starts.”
She’s has had enough of this tomfoolery and tears into him: “Why are you always sitting on your duff and constantly making me wait on you hand and foot?!! And another thing...”
THe man throws up his hands and says “Oh great, IT’S STARTED!!”
There is definately some validity to that. My wife is a manager at a defense contractor and she'll feel compeled to "supervise" me at times. Thats when I have to remind her just who I am, as politely as possible mind you.
If I get get an appointment to have my back waxed we are on!
Oy Vey !~
Kinky!
LOL........
Do I, Honey?
If only I could get my wife to shut up!
There are so many jokes in poor taste about what causes a woman to go silent...
HOWEVER, on a serious note, it does point out that couples who communicate, REALLY communicate TOGETHER WITH EACH OTHER probably have lower stress and less stress means a longer happier life.
No... it won't stay in there forever...
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