Pulling away: Links among disengaged couple communication, relationship distress, and depressive symptoms.

Abstract

Interpersonal theories of depression suggest that how couples communicate helps to explain bidirectional links between depressive symptoms and relationship distress. Disengaged and aversive couple communication should help explain these links. However, most research examining associations among couple communication, depressive symptoms and relationship distress have focused on aversive communication behaviors. Thus, this research examined associations among depressive symptoms, disengaged couple communication, and relationship distress in 2 studies. Study 1 examined cross-sectional associations using 2 heterogeneous samples of individuals in romantic relationships assessed via online survey. Study 2 examined the associations over 2 time points using Actor-Partner Interdependence Modeling with data provided by newlywed couples. The first aim was to examine whether depressive symptoms were uniquely associated with disengaged couple communication after controlling for relationship distress and aversive couple communication. The second aim was to test whether disengaged couple communication explained the bidirectional associations between depressive symptoms and relationship distress controlling for aversive communication. Results for Aim 1 were consistent across studies. Depressive symptoms were uniquely associated with disengaged couple communication. Results for Aim 2 indicate that disengaged couple communication uniquely explains bidirectional associations between co-occurring relationship distress and depressive symptoms; and husbands' disengaged communication explains the association between husbands' depressive symptoms and husbands decline in relationship satisfaction. Results indicate there are unique contributions of disengaged couple communication for interpersonal theories of depression and suggest the importance of helping couplemembers to effectively and meaningfully engage with one another.

Depressive Symptoms, External Stress, and Marital Adjustment: The Buffering Effect of Partner’s Responsive Behavior

“…These negatively biased perceptions likely contribute to the destructive behavioral patterns associated with depression. Individuals experiencing depression are more hostile and ineffective when seeking and providing support (Davila et al, 1997) and more hostile, defensive, and disengaged during conflict (Barry et al, 2019;Du Rocher Schudlich et al, 2004).…”

“…Other important frameworks emphasize that individuals operate within a dyadic context, and so, beyond individuals' personal vulnerabilities and external stress, partners play an essential role in creating successful relationships, including overcoming the difficulties associated with personal vulnerabilities (Bowlby, 1973;Mikulincer & Shaver, 2007;Reis & Clark, 2013;Simpson & Overall, 2014). Partner responsiveness, a broad construct highlighted across influential relationship theories (Kelley et al, 2003;Mikulincer & Shaver, 2007;Murray & Holmes, 2011;Reis & Clark, 2013), is a likely candidate for buffering the detrimental effects of both personal vulnerabilities (e.g., depression) and external stress on marital adjustment because it may circumvent maladaptive relationship processes (e.g., negative perceptions and behavior) associated with depression and stress (e.g., Barry et al, 2019;Davila et al, 1997). The current study tested whether partners' observed responsive behavior mitigated the degree to which individuals' depressive symptoms and external stress predicted declines in relationship functioning over time.…”

Cognitive‐behavioral couple therapy for same‐sex female couples: A pilot study

“…A large body of literature documents the relation between relationship distress and depressive symptoms (see Baucom et al, 2020). Although data in same-sex couples is lacking, the extant couples-based research suggests that individuals in distressed relationships are at higher risk for depressive symptoms, and depressive symptoms are similarly associated with relationship distress (Barry, Barden, & Dubac, 2019;Baucom et al, 2007;Whitton & Whisman, 2010). Future research with a larger sample size may allow for more breadth of individual symptom severity and a nuanced examination of the potential impact of ACCESS on individual mental health.…”

Marital dialogue and dialogue with God in the lives of saints. Luigi and Maria Quattrocchi and Louis and Zelia Martin

“…Harwas-Napierała, 2008;Barry, Barden, Dubac, 2019;Gostecnik, Ch., Slavic, T.R., Lukek, S.P., Pate, T.,Cvetek, R., 2017;Frydrychowicz, 2009;Wal, 2008). Realizacja dialogu wymaga właściwych, dojrzałych relacji interpersonalnych.…”