Behavioral social support between remitted depressed patients with partners and strangers.
BACKGROUND
Social support is associated with depression outcome and is effected by observable behaviors that express involvement.


METHODS
Eleven remitted depressed patients were studied during a social interaction with their partner and a similar interaction with a stranger, matched on the sex and age of the partner.


RESULTS
The patient-partner interaction displayed lower levels of involvement as compared to the patient-stranger interaction despite successful treatment for depression.


CONCLUSIONS
It is suggested that the findings are reflective of the continuing depressogenic process.


CONCLUSIONS
A healthy control group for the patient-partner group was not employed.


CONCLUSIONS
Behavioral interactions between patients and partners may require as much attention during treatment as depressive symptomology alone.
Hale
W W
WW
University of Maastricht, Faculties of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Medical, Clinical and Experimental Psychology, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands. bill.hale@dep.unimaas.nl
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011897:Random Allocation; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires