Spouse similarity for psychological distress and well-being: a population study

Abstract

SynopsisWhile spouse similarity for psychiatric morbidity has been the object of numerous studies, most of these focused on clinical samples and, consequently, the interpretation of their results is limited by the existence of a selection bias. In this study, conducted on a sample of 845 general population couples, significant spouse similarity was observed for psychological distress and well-being, characterized by a marked symmetry in the relation between spouses' scores. The sex differences observed in many earlier studies would appear essentially to be artefactual. Spouse similarity was also found to be significant in the subpopulation of couples married less than two years, which pointed to assortative mating for psychological distress and well-being. While many studies have found educational dissimilarity and age difference between spouses to be associated with certain health variables, such as high blood pressure and coronary heart disease, these variables do not have a significant influence on individual levels of psychological distress and well-being. Spouse similarity for socio-demographic characteristics does not play a significant role in explaining spouse similarity for mental health. Consequently, assortative mating for psychological distress and well-being would appear to be primarily due to personal preference.

Depression and Anxiety Among Partners of European-American and Latino Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

“…The zero-order correlation between partner and patient depressive affect is modest and falls within the range of other studies of partner and patient distress (32)(33)(34). The within-couple concordance rate for likely depression is also very low and is likewise similar to the results of other studies (7,35).…”

The prevalence of co‐morbid depression in adults with Type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Studies were included only if the prevalence of depression was also reported in a non-diabetic comparison group (control group). Comparison groups were not considered to be adequate control subjects if they included partners, first-degree relatives or patients exclusively with other chronic conditions such as hypertension or osteoporosis [5,15,16].…”

Attachment style and two forms of affect coregulation between romantic partners

“…As noted above, several studies show associations between attachment anxiety and heightened affectivity (Maunder et al, 2006; Mikulincer, 1998; Mikulincer & Orbach, 1995), perhaps making it easier for partners to detect changes in their affective states. In contrast, avoidant individuals control, conceal, or otherwise fail to openly express both negative and positive emotions (Becker‐Stoll, Delius, & Scheitenberger, 2001; Ducharme, Doyle, & Markiewicz, 2002; Feeney, 1995, 1999; Searle & Meara, 1999; Tucker & Anders, 1999), potentially making it more difficult for a partner to correctly read their affective state. Such processes should influence the establishment of day‐to‐day affective coregulation in adult attachment relationships.…”