Homogamous and heterogamous marriages.

This paper explores two marital constructs set forth by Peter Giovacchini. The first is based on a symbiotic reenactment in which the investment of both partners is tenacious and reciprocal, an attachment which Giovacchini refers to as a "character object" relationship. It represents intrapsychic homogramy. In the second construct, this deep form of attraction is absent and the dyadic bond is superficial, frequently transitory. The latter couples do not require an elementary, intrapsychic bond but do share particular defensive traits or symptoms. Thus these unions are termed "symptom object" relationships and are characterologically heterogamous. By means of a group case study approach, this distinction was statistically supported. Furthermore, it was found that homogamous marriages stay in treatment longer, maintain a lower divorce rate, and respond best to individual psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Heterogamous marriages, by contrast, show a higher divorce rate and tend to leave therapy prior to termination. The research also suggests that the initial treatment of choice for this type of marriage may well be conjoint or group psychotherapy.