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Seligman has recently presented a revised model of learned helplessness (Seligman, Note 1; Abramson, Seligman, & Teasdale, 1978). Since this revised model was presented during the preparation of the final draft of the present article, all references in the text to "Seligman's model" refer to his pre-1977 position. It should also be noted that the basic statements of Seligman's revised model are remarkably similar to those of the model presented in the second half of the present article. The present authors and Seligman (Note 2) regard this theoretical overlap to be the result of parallel, independent contributions; as such, these represent a situation that is unusual in psychology. The present article makes no attempt to review, critique, or integrate Seligman's revised theory with the model proposed here.

In this cross-sectional study, the authors attempted to identify correlates of family functioning in 86 couples with a depressed member during the acute phase of the patient's depression. Demographic variables, psychiatric status, and personality traits of both the patient and spouse were investigated as potential predictors of family functioning. Regression analyses indicated that lower levels of personality pathology in the patient, higher levels of patient conscientiousness, and less psychological distress in the spouse were associated with healthier family functioning. Future research implications and clinical importance of these findings are discussed.