Correlation of Disgust and Contempt Expressions with Conjugal Dissatisfaction

Research has shown that dissatisfied couples in the relationship commonly exhibit facial expressions of contempt in interactions. At this point, based on the study of cognition and physiology, researchers were able to predict by longitudinal studies the probability of divorce in a marriage, with accuracy of up to 94%. Our objective was to investigate whether the occurrence of facial expressions of disgust and contempt in married women is associated with marital dissatisfaction. This is an experimental study that correlated, through filmed interviews, the frequency of facial expressions of disgust and disgust (Facial Action Coding System) to the Marital State’s Golombok Rust Inventory, in a sample composed of 20 women. Data analysis based on the Spearman Correlation Test showed a positive correlation between facial expressions of disgust and disdain and conjugal dissatisfaction (rs = 0.2198, p = 0.0280), corroborating the data in the literature.


Introduction
Human communication, a fundamental factor for the understanding of behavior, is associated to the most diverse areas of study, especially linked to non-verbal behavior.Birdwhistell [1] suggests that verbal language would be tied to approximately 35% of social meaning, while the rest would be defined by multisensory, non-verbalized behaviors.Knapp and Hall [2]  behavior as arising from non-verbal behavior and classify it mainly in distinct areas: 1) paralanguage (variation of voice characteristics and their interpretations); 2) proxemic (use of space by man); 3) appearance (physical characteristics and clothing; 4) environment (architecture and arrangement of objects in space); 5) kinetics (variety of gestures or expressions and postures).
The study of human facial expressiveness was also initially diffused by Darwin (1872Darwin ( /2016)), in his book "The Expressions of Emotions in Man and Animals", and the author emphasized the possibility that there would be a relation between certain emotions and expressions facials.Thus, based on Darwin's [3] observations, human facial expressions would have originated in more primitive evolutionary stages, changing throughout evolution in accordance with the principles of natural selection.His studies were aimed at trying to demonstrate the existence of basic emotions directly linked to the functioning of the autonomic nervous system.In the meantime, the author was able to catalog the expressions of several species and to find consistency in these expressions, defending the hypothesis of the innate characteristic of some facial expressions.
The findings of Ekman [4] point to the existence of basic facial expressions.His study confirms Darwin's theory [3] that emotions would be biologically determined and universal, congruent with the emotions presented.Movements of the individual facial muscles were codified by Ekman and Friesen [5] through the Facial Action Coding System (FACS), an instrument that allows measuring all facial expressions or visible facial behaviors, analyzing and describing movements of human face muscles using of a common pattern to systematically categorize the physical expression of emotions.In this regard, recognizing facial expressions of emotions and microexpressions are of great importance for the understanding of interpersonal relationships, intrapersonal management and for the development of emotional intelligence and empathy [5].The findings on the human face open up a vast horizon of possibilities for behavioral research, expanding the field for exploration and understanding of the emotional meanings of facial behavior.
Damasio [6] reveals that an emotion part of a neural system largely presetted and related to the emotions that send commands to other brain regions and almost all parts of the body.Such commands follow two routes, one of the bloodstream, with commands in the form of chemical molecules that act on receptors on the constituent cells of the tissues of the body and one in neuronal pathways, with commands in the form of electrochemical signals that act on other neurons muscle fibers, or organs.Thus, the organs receiving the command change as a result of these and muscles move as they are commanded.
Disgust, a primary emotion tied to survival, is easily identified in humans from the most diverse cultures and also in some animals.Numerous regulatory reactions, as well as components of the primary emotions, would be an integral part of various combinations of social emotions.Thus, when contempt uses the facial expressions of disgust, which evolves in association with automatic rejection, even in words to describe situations of contempt, it is possible to indicates specific brain processing for emotion expressions, there is no way to specify a single brain area capable of discriminating all these emotions.
Sprengelmeyer [9] suggest that the recognition of different expressions is performed by different neural systems.In this context, neuroimaging studies indicate activation of the anterior insula in the brain when exposed to aversive tastes or visualization of facial expressions of disgust, which is a rather primitive structure [10].Recently, different studies have shown a strong association between the right hemisphere and emotional processes.In a functional magnetic resonance imaging study, Ishai, Schmidt and Boesiger [11] found that the perception of facial expressions of emotions, although processed in a cortical network distributed by the brain, evokes strong activations in the right hemisphere.

Expressions of Emotion and Relationships
Emotions are seen as components of great importance in the study of behaviors, since they can influence or be influenced by them.Thus, everything that is psychological is simultaneously biological, which gives emotions a highly significant factor [12].
Matsumoto and Hwang [13] conceptualize emotion as an automatic response evoked by virtue of a given stimulus, triggering a physiological response in the body.For these authors, in addition to the elicited internal respondents, the individual also externalizes behaviors that can be observed through physical expressions.It is in this context that Ekman and Friesen [5] point out that the analysis of facial expressions, using the FACS, is able to identify emotions congruent with an individual's emotional responses.In this respect, Ekman [5] suggests that certain emotions are universal and points out that their observation through facial expression does not differ between cultures and may interfere in established relationships and interactions: work, friendships, family and intimate relationships, being of utmost importance in the study of behavior, since this is often the product of these.Some premises detail the importance of the study of emotions, considering the possibility of enumerating the most common specific triggers for a particular emotion, its functioning, causes and involvement in mental disorders, as well as the elaboration of proposals aimed at improving awareness about sensations corporations that embrace them, providing more assertive respondents and better readings of others' emotions, being extremely important for relationships and interactions.
In the marriage context, Carrère, Buehlman, Gottman, Coan, and Ruckstuhl [14] predicted, through a longitudinal study of newly married couples, the rate of possible divorces based on facial expressions in physiological precedents such as heart pressure and frequency of heartbeat, sweating, cortisol level, etc. and in the interactions between the spouses.The accuracy of this work resulted in a success rate of 94%.In the results, the authors pointed out that the frequency of divorces was higher in couples who presented a higher incidence of facial expressions of contempt within the marital context.
Another aspect evidenced by the cognitive-behavioral perspective suggests that cognitive responses may affect matrimony as positive and negative experiences gradually accumulate regarding the other's behavior, generating the assessment and consequent satisfaction or dissatisfaction experienced by the spouses [15].Buehlman and Gottman [16] propose that the verbalization of a given context about the relationship spreads emotions congruent with the couple's perceptions, so the authors synthesize that it would be possible to study conjugal satisfaction by having the spouses report, for example, as is the experience with the other, since the report would result in aspects centered on the current emotion that the individual has about his own marriage.Regardless of the causes that place the divorces, it is a fact that marital separation brings consequences that go beyond the socioeconomic scope.
Studies indicate that divorced individuals have higher rates of psychological disorders, physical illness, suicide, homicide, violence, and disease mortality [17] [18] [19].In Brazil, a legal update regarding divorces, which took place in July 2010, led to the withdrawal of the requirement of prior judicial separation for more than one year or proven de facto separation for more than two years.As a result of this reduction, in view of the greater ease in the dissolution of marriages, in 2011 there was a growth of 45.6% in the total number of divorces in the country compared to the previous year, the highest rate since 1984, according to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics [20].
Within the on-screen field, this research sought to specify the behavior of the human face, since the study of facial expressiveness plays a fundamental role in the communication of emotions, appearing in the recognition of facial expressions as a medium information about the other's emotions [4].
This study is still justified by the importance of deepening the theme about facial expressions, emotions and their influence on marriage, considering that the study by Carrère et al. [14] emphasizes that the recurrence of contempt in evoking memories about the partner in marriage is a factor that may precede divorce.In addition, the findings cited by the author, especially linked to contempt, criticism and blocking or incommunicability, were also observed in other studies that associated them with marital dissatisfaction [21] [22] [23] [24] [25].

Objective
From these notes, the present research aimed to correlate the levels of conjugal satisfaction and the frequency of expressions and expressions of facial expression and disgust of women, when talking about their conjugal relationships.The specific objectives were: 1) To identify the levels of marital satisfaction of women in their first relationship; 2) Identify and quantify the occurrence of facial expressions of disgust and contempt evoked by the participants in talking about their marital relationships; 3) Discuss the relationship between disgust, disgust and conjugal dissatisfaction, based on the literature.

Method
Twenty women, university students, participated in the study in the first marriage relationship, those who were officially married, or in a stable union/living for more than one year with their partner, were allowed to enter the marriage period up to 15 years, considering the most common divorce period in the country (IBGE, 2011).Women who declared use of drugs capable of altering facial expression or having any pathology that interfered with the face were not admitted to the study.
The option for exclusive participation of women was made because although there is no consensus as to the motivations for sexual differences in nonverbal communication, whether biological or social, the research is directed towards considering women to be more expressive in nonverbal terms, better decoders of facial expressions, and more easily describe their emotions and feelings [26] [27] [28] [29].

Materials
Audio and video recording capabilities were used using Sony Cyber Shot 12MP digital camcorder to record the facial expressions presented during the interview script on the marital relationship presented by Gottman and Silver [30].In order to investigate the level of marital satisfaction, the Golombok Rust Inventory of Marital State (GRIMS) was translated and adapted to Brazilian reality, composed of 28 closed questions, with self-completion, ranging from 0 to 3 points, ordered between totally agree, agree, I totally disagree and disagree.The result obtained at the end ranks the level of marital satisfaction between very good, good, above average, average, poor, bad, severe problems, very severe problems.The reliability analysis, calculated using the Cronbach Alpha coefficient of this scale, showed that the coefficient was 0.9071 [31].The identification of the facial expressions presented was performed by the researchers prior to the determination of the results of the marital satisfaction assessment scale, so that the evaluations were conducted through a blind study.Thus, expressions of disgust and contempt were identified one by one through the recording.Each identified expression was recorded as a static image for analysis based on the Facial Action Coding System [5].According to the authors, in the facial expression of disgust and

Procedures
After submitting and approving the ethics and research committee with human beings (CAAE n˚ 57983316.7.0000.5493)and the approval was with the consubstantiated opinion n˚ 1,744,566.The members had all doubts regarding the study exempted and agreed to their participation by signing the Free and Informed Consent Form.Afterwards, the Golombok Rust Inventory of Marital State self-filling scale was presented and later placed in a sealed envelope for analysis after the interview.At the end of this stage, the study participants were interviewed on the marital relationship based on the script pre-established by Gottman and Silver [30] during which the video recordings were performed.

Data Analysis
The results from the Golombok Rust Inventory of Marital State scale were scored based on the procedures adopted in the instrument adaptation and translation study [31].The images, obtained from the recording of the interviews, were analyzed through the Facial Action Coding System [5], and the consecutive intervals were measured, each with a duration of 60 seconds, totaling 3000 seconds per filming.For this research the analysis performed considered only the presentation of expressions of disgust or contempt.

Results
The data collected provided information on the degree of marital satisfaction of each participant, which was correlated to the facial expressions of disgust and contempt presented during the interview.The frequency of expressions and facial microexpressions presented was correlated with the results obtained through the Golombok Rust Inventory of Marital State (GRIMS) [31].Altogether, 20% of the interviewed women presented a median score regarding satisfaction level; 60% of the women presented satisfaction with a score in the above-average categories, good and very good; 20% of the women had a lower than average score in the categories: poor, severe problems and very serious problems (Table 1).The data presented highlight the occurrence of expressions and facial microexpressions of disgust and disgust obtained through the interviews conducted with an average duration of 14 minutes and 59 minutes, with a minimum of 5 minutes and 33 minutes and a maximum of 23 minutes and 26 According to the literature, marital separation can occur through high doses of criticism, contempt, and defensive and obstructive behavior.The identification of destructive emotions in the mainstream study takes into account the occurrence of contempt, according to Gottman and Silver [30], and even has an important influence on the divorce rate.Pereira [32] emphasizes that a marriage consists basically of a collaborative game, where the relationships would be based on trust and reciprocity, with the premise that as one spouse exposes his weaknesses and secrets to the other, he trusts that he will make good use of this information and it will not harm you.However, when negative emotions permeate this relationship it becomes quite difficult to maintain this system, given that the product of these emotions would be related to harmful habits.
On the other hand, the researchers also propose methods of intervention that lead to improvement in marital satisfaction and relationships.In this way, the identification of these negative emotions can serve as a basis for couples' self-awareness and a new configuration of their behavior in the relationship.
Gottman and Gottman [33] suggest, for example, that some, albeit seemingly simple, measures can drastically change marital quality.This set of actions was termed by the authors as "The Sound Relationship House Theory" and includes mainly the construction of an affective reserve through mental maps, which would be memories about the partner, reasons for which they fell in love, interest and affective and sexual knowledge on the other; the maintenance of a system of respect, affection and admiration, appreciating the qualities and achievements of the partner; successful attempts at connection, permeated by reciprocity in attention, interest, desire to talk, good humor, empathy, sexual warmth, support and assistance, etc., as well as identification and avoidance of negative or non-reciprocal responses.
Mussumeci and Ponciano [34], in a study with couples, where stress, coping and emotional experiences were evaluated, describe that marital satisfaction is not linked to the experience of negative experiences in themselves, but in the coping way of each couple.Thus, satisfied couples in the relationship, in reporting their experiences, cite them with positive emotions, and report difficult moments that have passed with good humor and mutual support, corroborating that difficult situations can be accompanied by positive emotions.

Conclusions
Studies have shown that emotions can, to a large extent, influence behaviors.
Based on this knowledge, the present work sought to investigate the relationship between facial expressions of emotions and behavior, especially linked to the marital context, making the association between facial expressions of disgust and disgust and conjugal dissatisfaction.The data presented suggest that, in consonance with the literature, there is a significant association between emotions of disgust and disgust and conjugal dissatisfaction.However, it is a fact that this scenario needs to be detailed, since only the study of nonverbal communication of an individual does not determine underlying behaviors, and other aspects that may interfere with these results must be evaluated.Another point emphasized by the research denotes the need for expansion to the study of other negative emotions.
In addition, it is important to note that the occurrence of disgust or contempt does not characterize degree of dissatisfaction, since even satisfied women in the relationship had such expressions of emotions, however, the findings of this work denote a significantly higher frequency of expressions and facial microexpressions of disgust and contempt in women with lower rates of marital satisfaction.This study investigated only the variables presented in the dissatisfaction and facial expressions, in a future perspective, if the method could be applied in a more consistent sample, as well as its extension to other groups, such as couples with violent relationships, for example, where they could motivate to maintain abusive and aggressive relationships that are under study.
Another point refers to the need to extend the measurement of other variables that were not used, such as the analysis of verbal discourse.
Still treated as a "background", non-verbal behavior is a very important factor

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. M. Joaquim et al.DOI: 10.4236/jbbs.2018.810034567 Journal of Behavioral and Brain Science disgust are presented distinct muscle groups that come into action for each emotion specifically.Thus, each muscle in the face was classified as an actionunit "Action Unities" (AUs).In the facial expressions of disgust, the muscular units are related to the lifter of the upper lip and the wing of the nose (AU 9a), transverse part of the nasal muscle (AU 9b), lifter of the upper lip (AU 10), and angle of the mouth (AU 15).Disregard, in turn, is characterized by the activation of the buccinator muscle (AU 14), being in some cases overlapping with the expression of disgust[5].
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Table 2 .
Scoring in the Golombok Rust Inventory of Marital State (GRIMS) and frequency of expressions and microexpressions disgust/contempt per minute.