Marital distress, co-occurring depression, and marital therapy: a review.
This article reviews several factors that contribute to marital distress and co-occurring depression and also reviews empirically supported therapies. Gender contributes to marital distress and depression but does not appear to be the cause of either. Marital distress and depression appear to have bidirectional influence on each other. The depressed spouse's depression has a marked impact on the marital adjustment of the nondepressed spouse. Both marital distress and depression appear to be chronic. It is recommended that treatment be designed to help couples be supportive of each another, to adapt, and to cope with the depressive symptoms within the framework of their ongoing marital relations.
Marriage and Family Program, School of Family Life, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA.
D Eugene
DE
Mead
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008388:Marital Therapy; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D014481:United States
D000928:Antidepressive Agents