Lingering effects of marital arguments.

Even hours after husbands and wives have stopped arguing, the battle still may be raging within the woman's body, altering her hormone levels and weakening her immune system to the point where illness could gain a foothold. This discovery, based on a long-running study of newlywed couples at Ohio State University's Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, is forcing researchers to rethink their understanding of marital conflicts. It also could have important implications for the physical, as well as emotional, health of married couples.

Each couple was invited to spend up to 24 hours at the university's Clinical Research Center. Husband and wife both had an IV inserted so that blood samples could be taken at hourly intervals throughout their stay. After a short interview, the couple was asked to discuss a topic known to be a source of disagreement. Invariably, an argument ensued. The couple would remain together for the rest of the 24-hour stay, during which time blood samples were drawn for analysis of hormone levels and immune system markers.

How the husbands and wives reacted to each other during the conflict was key to the experiment. Earlier research suggested that men generally tend to "tune out" their wives during an argument, seeking to escape or withdraw. Wives, on the other hand, are seen as being more likely to complain, criticize, or demand change in a relationship. The husband's withdrawal is acutely frustrating to...