Interpersonal Processes in Depression

Abstract

Humans have an intrinsic need for social connection; thus, it is crucial to understand depression in an interpersonal context. Interpersonal theories of depression posit that depressed individuals tend to interact with others in a way that elicits rejection, which increases their risk for future depression. In this review, we summarize the interpersonal characteristics, risk factors, and consequences of depression in the context of the relevant theories that address the role of interpersonal processes in the onset, maintenance, and chronicity of depression. Topics reviewed include social skills, behavioral features, communication behaviors, interpersonal feedback seeking, and interpersonal styles as they relate to depression. Treatment implications are discussed in light of the current research on interpersonal processes in depression, and the following future directions are discussed: developing integrative models of depression, improving measurement of interpersonal constructs, examining the association between interpersonal processes in depression and suicide, and tailoring interventions to target interpersonal processes in depression.

The Interpersonal Toxicity of Excessive Reassurance-Seeking: Evidence From a Longitudinal Study of Romantic Relationships

“…ERS has been conceptualized as a behavioral signal of the interpersonally damaging properties of depression to others. In the absence of depression, it is theorized that ERS is tolerable to others because it is not coupled with the negative affect and desperation that come with dysphoria (Evraire & Dozois, 2011;Hames, Hagan, & Joiner, 2013). One possible explanation for our contradictory findings is that our modest sample size gave us insufficient power to detect the interaction effect.…”

In their own words

“…Of course, depression is deeply intertwined with dyadic functioning and reinforced through the behaviors partners enact (Hames, Hagan, & Joiner, 2013;Leff et al, 2000;Whisman & Beach, 2012). Studies recognizing the systemic nature of depression are able to illuminate how relationships influence and are influenced by depression, how partners' responses affect each other, and how interactions are patterned (Jones & Asen, 2000).…”

Possible role of more positive social behaviour in the clinical effect of antidepressant drugs

“…Social isolation contributes to the onset of depression and is commonly seen in depressed patients. 44 A more limited number of social interactions will limit the potential for more positive social interactions to improve mood. If more positive social interactions are a clinically significant factor in the action of antidepressants, then patients who have a greater number of social interactions during the early stages of treatment with antidepressants might be expected to respond better to treatment.…”

“…Hames and colleagues 44 reviewed the interpersonal processes thought to be involved in the initiation and maintenance of depression. Depressed patients tend to have deficits in social skills, seek reassurance excessively while also seeking negative feedback and exhibit both interpersonal inhibition and interpersonal dependency.…”