Social Withdrawal and Depressive Symptoms as Outcomes of Prolonged Marital Power Imbalance

Abstract

This study aimed to explore how prolonged marital power imbalance contributes to the development of social withdrawal and depressive symptoms among individuals in long-term intimate relationships. A qualitative research design was employed using semi-structured interviews with 22 participants (12 women and 10 men) from various regions of South Africa. Participants were purposively selected based on their self-identified experiences of enduring relational power asymmetry within marriage. Data were collected until theoretical saturation was achieved and analyzed using thematic analysis supported by NVivo software. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded inductively, and reviewed iteratively to develop major themes and subthemes reflecting the lived emotional and behavioral outcomes of chronic relational inequity. Four overarching themes emerged from the data: (1) Emotional Consequences of Power Imbalance, including feelings of helplessness, chronic sadness, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion; (2) Behavioral Manifestations of Withdrawal, such as avoidance of communication, social isolation, and disengagement from pleasurable activities; (3) Dynamics of Marital Power Asymmetry, encompassing dominance, lack of mutual respect, unequal responsibilities, and economic dependency; and (4) Coping and Meaning-Making Strategies, including protective silence, religious coping, and reframing. Participants described how prolonged disempowerment led to internalized distress and the erosion of social and psychological well-being. Findings were aligned with prior research on marital communication patterns, emotional suppression, and relational aggression. Prolonged marital power imbalance can have serious psychological consequences, leading to persistent emotional distress, social withdrawal, and depressive symptoms. These outcomes are often underrecognized due to the subtle and chronic nature of relational inequity. Clinical and community interventions must address the structural and emotional dimensions of marital power to promote relational health and psychological resilience.