Attributional Models of Depression and Marital Distress

Horneffer, Karen J.; Fincham, Frank D.

doi:10.1177/0146167296227003

Cited by 28 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…Research on the association between dysfunctional marital attributions and depression has produced mixed results. Some studies have reported an association between depressive symptoms and attributions for spouse behavior (e.g., Horneffer & Fincham, 1996), whereas others have not (e.g., Bradbury, Beach, Fincham, & Nelson, 1996;Christian, O'Leary, & Vivian, 1994). Some of this inconsistency may stem from the fact that research has been conducted primarily on depression symptoms rather than major depression (an exception is Bradbury et al, 1996).…”

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confidence: 99%

Relationship Beliefs, Attributions, and Partner Behaviors Among Depressed Married Women

Uebelacker

Whisman

2005

Cogn Ther Res

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Existing research documents that marital distress is strongly associated with depression; however, less is known about specific features of relationship functioning that are associated with depression. In the current study, we tested whether marital attributions, dysfunctional relationship beliefs, and partners' reinforcing and aversive behavior were associated with major depression in married women. Compared to nondepressed wives, depressed wives reported stronger endorsement of several dysfunctional relationship beliefs, even when controlling for relationship distress. Depressed women also reported more dysfunctional relationship attributions and more negative partner behaviors; however, these results were not significant when marital distress was controlled. We also assessed relationship factors in husbands of depressed and nondepressed women. Husbands of depressed wives did not report significantly higher levels of dysfunctional attributions or beliefs. They did report more negative and fewer positive partner behaviors; however, husbands' marital distress seemed to account for these findings. Results support an integration of cognitive, behavioral, and interpersonal models of depression. KEY WORDS: depression; relationship beliefs; attributions; rewards.Research from epidemiological, clinical, and community samples has consistently shown that depression is associated with increased levels of marital distress (for a comprehensive review, see Whisman, 2001). Although there is a large literature describing aspects of couples' relationships that are associated with and predict future marital distress (as reviewed, for example, by Gottman, 1998), there is comparatively little known about specific aspects of relational functioning as they relate to depression. Much of the existing research has focused on couple communication,

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Relationship Beliefs, Attributions, and Partner Behaviors Among Depressed Married Women

Uebelacker

Whisman

2005

Cogn Ther Res

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“…For example, research found that marital instability and distress can affect one's physical health (Kiecott-Glaser et al, 1993;Roberts et al, 2005). Findings also indicated that marital distress promotes depression among adults (Assh and Byers, 1996;Coyne et al, 1987;Horneffer and Fincham 1996;Ismail, 2004;Jackman-Cram et al, 2006;Low and Stocker, 2005).…”

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A Preliminary Study: What Is Love in a Marriage?

Hoesni¹,

Hashim²,

Rahman³

2012

ASS

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This study investigates how urban Malays give meanings to love within marriage. A total of 245 participants attending a compulsory premarital program in Klang Valley, Malaysia agreed to take part in this study. Questionnaires consisting of personal and relationship background were distributed to participants. How participants give meanings to love which exists in a marriage were rated using a self developed prototype list of Subjective Meanings of Marital Love (SMML). Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 19 for Windows (SPSS 19) and Sternberg's Triangular Love Theory was applied when examining possible components of love which exists within marriage. Results showed that the most agreeable elements of love within marriage belonged to commitment and intimacy component. On the other hand, the least agreeable elements of love within marriage came from the passion component of love. Overall, the most unique results showed that participants reported that love in a marriage as having strong relationship towards God. Findings implied the importance of investigating love experiences which is specific to context of love experience -such as love within marriage and faith aspects when studying close relationships.

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“…Studies of attribution style also suggest that depressed persons display negative cognitions in response to both interpersonal and noninterpersonal situations, blaming themselves for every negative event. Horneffer and Fincham (1996, 1997) provide important information for understanding depressive symptoms in the context of marriage. Fincham, Beach, and Bradbury (1989) obtained no evidence to support the suggestion that maritally distressed spouses simply manifest the depressogenic attributions associated with depression (Fincham et al, 1989).…”

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“…Fincham, Beach, and Bradbury (1989) obtained no evidence to support the suggestion that maritally distressed spouses simply manifest the depressogenic attributions associated with depression (Fincham et al, 1989). Instead, a broader type of integration was suggested, in which the inclusion of each type or dimension of attribution is necessary to understand fully the implications for depression and marital distress (Horneffer & Fincham, 1996, 1997). In the present study, we selected the most important causal attribution dimensions and focused on negative events during marital functioning.…”

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A Categorical and Dimensional Perspective on Depression Within a Nonclinical Sample of Couples

Heene

Buysse²,

Oost³

2003

Family Process

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The present study investigated the role of psychosocial variables that are indicators for depressive symptomatology within a couple. The variables chosen for this study were conflict communication, marital adjustment, attachment, attribution style, and personality traits--all potentially specific indicators. A global factor analysis on all our measures revealed that our individual and relational measures were stable findings. We wanted to compare a dimensional and categorical view of depression. First, we focused on the total nonclinical sample, considering depression on a continuum, and studying the selected characteristics along with the varying degree of depressive complaints. The results highlighted the importance of individual characteristics (neuroticism and life satisfaction) covarying with the level of depressive symptomatology in the nonclinical sample (n = 186 couples). Second, in addition to this correlational design, we compared the group of most depressed subjects and their partners with a control sample (n = 34). Both approaches pointed to the same conclusion: individual characteristics covaried with mild depression, whereas couple characteristics only came into the picture with a higher level of depressive complaints. The lowest levels of depressive complaints were associated with individual co-morbidity only, whereas increasing complaints went along with additional relational complaints. Implications for assessment and future research are discussed.

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Attributional Models of Depression and Marital Distress

Cited by 28 publications

References 38 publications

Relationship Beliefs, Attributions, and Partner Behaviors Among Depressed Married Women

Relationship Beliefs, Attributions, and Partner Behaviors Among Depressed Married Women

A Preliminary Study: What Is Love in a Marriage?

A Categorical and Dimensional Perspective on Depression Within a Nonclinical Sample of Couples

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