Marital quality, coping with conflict, marital complaints, and affection in couples with a depressed wife.

Abstract

This study compared three groups of women--outpatient depressed, inpatient depressed, and community control--and their husbands on a range of variables including marital functioning and styles of coping with conflict. Outpatient depressed couples reported greater marital distress and more destructive and less constructive tactics for resolving conflict than did community control couples. They also were more likely to have been previously married and to express regrets about having married their current husbands. There were smaller and less consistent differences for couples with inpatient depressed spouses, although inpatient couples with younger wives were similar to outpatient depressed couples. Both groups of depressed women and their husbands reported fewer expressions of affection and more complaints about the marriage than did control couples. Results are discussed in terms of interpersonal perspectives on depression.

Age Differences in Exposure and Reactions to Interpersonal Tensions: A Daily Diary Study.

“…In contrast, the interpersonal conflict literature has often conceptualized behavioral reactions as constructive, destructive, and avoidant (Acitelli, Douvan, & Veroff, 1993;Canary, Cunningham, & Cody, 1988;Coyne, Thompson, & Palmer, 2002;Fingerman, 1998;Noller & Feeney, 1998). Constructive behaviors are active and beneficial for the relationship, such as compromising, calm discussion, and listening.…”

Psychopathology and Marital Satisfaction: The Importance of Evaluating Both Partners.

“…For example, partner effects have been studied to evaluate the perspective that there are burdens associated with being in a relationship with someone with mental health problems and that these burdens may result in lower relationship satisfaction for the partner (e.g., Chakrabarti, Kulhara, & Verma, 1993;Coyne et al, 1987). Results from prior studies have found that the presence of psychopathology in one person is associated with lower marital satisfaction in the partner (e.g., Bauserman et al, 1995;Coyne, Thompson, & Palmer, 2002;O'Farrell & Birchler, 1987).…”

Marital quality and its relation with depression: a case-control study

“…The findings are similar to study by Coyne JC et al which revealed that there were decreased expression of affection and excess marital complaints in either gender of depressed patients. 21 Decision making plays important role in marital quality. As per view of male partner, marital quality is good when they have more decision making power than their wives and vice versa.…”