The Impact of Psychological Disorders on Marital Relationships: A Legal and Jurisprudential Study of Personal Status Courts in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

ABSTRACT

This article explores how mental illnesses affect marital relationships, focusing on how one spouse's psychological disorder can jeopardize the stability of the marriage. Such mental health issues can result in unconscious behaviours and potentially harmful actions towards a partner, often occurring without intent or awareness. The study aims to enhance societal understanding of the seriousness of mental illness and its implications for marital stability, irrespective of whether the affected individual is the husband or wife. It covers various types of mental illnesses, their treatability, and seeks to answer the following questions: What is mental illness? What are its classifications? How does it affect spousal relationships from a legal and jurisprudential perspective? The researcher utilized an inductive methodology to collect contextual information, followed by a descriptive methodology to detail psychological disorders, and an analytical methodology to explore issues of separation prompted by mental illness. The study finds that mental illness exists on a continuum, ranging from mild to severe, and emphasizes that treatment should be customized to the individual's needs. In cases of serious mental illness that may lead to separation requests, the judge should address these petitions directly rather than referring them to reconciliatory committee.

Keywords; Mental illness, marital relationship, personal status courts.