Psychosocial Experience of Spouses Consulting for Conjugopathy in Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire)

The study examines conjugopathy, a persistent marital dysfunction affecting couples worldwide, with significant psychological, social, and health consequences. Unlike brief marital crises or domestic violence, conjugopathy involves recurrent, unresolved conflicts that negatively impact spouses, children, families, and society. Its causes include infidelity, jealousy, financial issues, intimacy problems, family interference, and unequal responsibilities. Epidemiological indicators such as high divorce rates and increasing demand for couple therapy suggest its widespread prevalence, including in countries like France, Canada, and Ivory Coast. The research focuses on the psycho-social experiences of spouses seeking help for conjugopathy in Abidjan, using attachment theory to understand relational patterns. A qualitative study was conducted from September 2-30, 2024, at the Addiction and Mental Hygiene Service of the National Institute of Public Health in Abidjan. Twenty married participants (16 women, 4 men) aged 23 - 48 were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews covering socio-demographic characteristics, marital history, conflict patterns, and psychosocial experiences. The key findings include: Most participants experienced frequent marital conflicts, with causes ranging from infidelity and child-rearing disagreements to money management and refusal of intimacy. Violence verbal, physical, sexual, and psychological, was reported by many respondents. Participants experienced strong negative emotions (sadness, shame, pain, fear, anger) and employed inappropriate coping mechanisms, such as seeking mediation from unqualified relatives, substance use, and suicidal behaviors. Women were disproportionately affected, likely due to cultural norms allowing emotional expression, while men often concealed suffering. Older couples and those with lower socioeconomic status faced higher risks of conjugopathy. The study highlights that conjugopathy significantly undermines mental and physical health and suggests that tailored support and interventions for affected couples in Abidjan are urgently needed. Limitations include a small, clinical-based sample rather than a population-wide study.