The author used a self-rating scale to assess marital happiness and
sexual functioning in a sample of 20 couples referred to an outpatient
family therapy unit. Evaluation of couples in structured interactions
indicated important differences in the quality and intensity of
relationship difficulties observed. Analysis of variance clearly showed
that sexual dysfunction and marital distress may operate independently of
one another. Thus effective treatment of marital discord may be neither a
necessary nor sufficient condition for improvement in sexual
functioning.Abstract Teaser