Marriage and Relationship Issues

Publisher Summary

Global evaluations of one's relationship and several key components of relationship functioning demonstrate significant cross-sectional associations with depressive symptoms and major depression and predict change in depressive symptoms and the onset, course, and relapse of episodes of major depression. Furthermore, marital functioning is associated with short- and long-term treatment outcome for depressed individuals, and couples therapy is effective in treating depression and improving marital discord. This chapter reviews the literature on relationship functioning and depression, including research on global relationship discord as well as specific aspects of relationship functioning. Interpersonal psychotherapy for depression is predicated on the model that interpersonal conflict, including marital conflict, can act as a precipitating factor in the onset of depression. Treatment implications of this research are discussed, including a review of the efficacy of couples' therapy for depression. The weight of clinical and research evidence clearly indicates that marriage and relationship issues are important factors to consider in a comprehensive understanding of depression and its treatment.