Partnership problems as causes of endogenous and neurotic depressions.
Content analysis of biographic interviews with endogenous and neurotic depressives shows that problems in a partnership carry particular weight as triggers of depression. In this respect, however, separations and the death of a partner play a comparatively less important role. Neurotic depressives become significantly more often depressive because of partnership-related events than endogenous depressives. Also in qualitative respects the causes for depression differ between the two groups: in endogenous depressives a threat of real loss often triggers depression, whereas neurotic depressives fall ill more frequently as a result of disappointments and injuries caused by the partner. Accompanying differences in the course of the partnership, the choice of partner and the premorbid personality are discussed.
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000275:Adjustment Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D004243:Divorce; D005114:Extramarital Relations; D005260:Female; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage; D008875:Middle Aged; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012737:Sex Factors