Couples’ depression and relationship satisfaction: examining the moderating effects of demand/withdraw communication patterns

Abstract

This study used systemic perspectives and actor and partner interdependence model to examine actor and partner effects of depression on couples’ relationship satisfaction in sixty‐three clinical couples. We also examined if a demand/withdraw communication pattern served a unique communication context that modified the impacts of depression on relationship satisfaction. Couples participated in a treatment‐as‐usual situation. The results showed that male depression had a negative impact on female relationship satisfaction. Males and females had different perceptions of male demand/female withdraw behaviours and it created different influences on each partner's depression in relation to relationship satisfaction. Practitioner points Depression is an interpersonal event that therapists must always assess while providing intervention in relational issues Females’ relationship satisfaction is influenced by males’ depression and couple‐based therapy can be beneficial for treating men's depression and women's relational well‐being Couples therapists need to intervene in demand/withdraw behaviours at different levels corresponding to which gender is executing demand/withdraw behaviours

Depression and satisfaction in different domains of life in dual-earner families: A dyadic analysis

“…Using the APIM approach, as was expected according to systems theory (Becvar & Becvar, 1998) and the family systems-illness model (Rolland, 1994), our findings show a medium-strength correlation between the two members of the couple's depression levels. This result is consistent with previous studies that have reported an association between the two partners a couple depressive symptoms (Li & Johnson, 2018;Proulx et al, 2009). These correlations can be explained by direct effects such as the transmission of negative moods and by indirect effects through shared variances of depression-related couple outcomes (Gabriel et al, 2016;Proulx et al, 2009).…”

“…However, our results suggest that in dual-earner couples men may be in a more vulnerable situation than their partners, considering that their overall life satisfaction may not only be affected by their own depression, but also by their partner's. Therefore, consistent with the suggestion made by Li and Johnson (2018), interventions to reduce depression in dual-earner couples should include both partners.…”

“…Based on the systems theory (Becvar & Becvar, 1998) and the family systems-illness model (Rolland, 1994), Li and Johnson (2018) suggest that depression is an interpersonal event rather than an individual problem. In fact, there is evidence for associations of depressive symptoms between both partners within a couple (Li & Johnson, 2018;Proulx, Buehler, & Heather, 2009).…”

“…Based on the systems theory (Becvar & Becvar, 1998) and the family systems-illness model (Rolland, 1994), Li and Johnson (2018) suggest that depression is an interpersonal event rather than an individual problem. In fact, there is evidence for associations of depressive symptoms between both partners within a couple (Li & Johnson, 2018;Proulx, Buehler, & Heather, 2009). At the same time, the family systems theory (Kerr & Bowen, 1998) addresses the interdependence between individuals and how individuals involved in reciprocal family relationships influence each other's thoughts and emotions (Bakker & Demerouti, 2013;Kenny, Kashy, & Cook, 2006).…”

“…Maroufizadeh, Hosseini, Foroushani, Omani-Samani, and Amini (2018) found that men and women's marital satisfaction was associated with their own depression level, whereas only men's marital satisfaction was associated with their partner's depression level in infertile couples. Similarly, Li and Johnson (2018) found that each member of the couple's satisfaction with their relationship Depresión y satisfacción en diferentes dominios de la vida en familias con doble ingreso: Un análisis diádico Resumen Este estudio exploró las asociaciones "spillover" y "crossover" entre la depresión y la satisfacción con la vida, con la alimentación y con la vida familiar en familias con doble ingreso. Se administraron cuestionarios a 303 parejas con doble ingreso e hijos adolescentes en Temuco, Chile.…”