title: Chronic pain and marital difficulties.
abstract: Chronic pain in one of the partners in a marriage causes profound changes in the marital relationship: roles and communication patterns are transformed, sexual relationships deteriorate, and the well partner frequently succumbs to distress and illness. In examining these changes, this article highlights the need for routine marital and family assessment and a family treatment approach for patients and their spouses.
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D003142:Communication; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008388:Marital Therapy; D008393:Marriage; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012947:Social Work