Resentment in Relationship and Types of Anxiety Manifestation Among Married Women: A Correlational Study

Purpose: The study aimed to assess the relationship that exists between the type of anxiety and resentment among married women. Materials Required: A correlational research design-based study was conducted on a sample of 104 married women (50 working and 54 non-working), selected using Non-random Sampling: Convenience Technique. Primary data was collected using a questionnaire based on the Resentment Rating Scale for Couples and the Hamilton Anxiety Scale. The data was analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman Correlation. Results: The study revealed a strong correlation between the psychological, somatic, and total anxiety and resentment in relationships among non-working married women (ρ=0.72, ρ=0.73, ρ=0.79), respectively. While a moderate correlation was found between the psychological, somatic, and total anxiety and resentment in relationships among working married women (ρ=0.38, ρ=0.33, ρ=0.41), respectively. Also, a significant difference was found between the anxiety levels of working and non-working married women, and no significant difference was found in the resentment among working and non-working married women. Conclusion: the study highlights the effect of suppressed emotion in marital relationships, and it effects on both working and non-working married women in the manifestation of types of anxiety. It is helpful for psychologists, specially couple therapists, in tackling the relationship issues and focusing on overall well-being.