title: Relational Ethics, Depressive Symptoms, and Relationship Satisfaction in Couples in Therapy.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine depressive symptoms and relationship satisfaction as problems related to relational ethics in one's family of origin and current partner relationships in a sample of 68 other-sex couples seeking therapy at a large university clinic. We used the Actor Partner Interdependence Model to analyze dyadic data collected prior to beginning therapy. Specifically, we found significant actor effects between relational ethics in one's family of origin and depressive symptoms, as well as between depressive symptoms and low relationship satisfaction for both male and female partners. We also found significant partner effects for relational ethics in current partner relationship, depressive symptoms, and low relationship satisfaction. Clinical application of contextual therapy theory is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Marriage & Family Therapy, Syracuse University.
authors.forename: Rashmi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gangamma
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Development & Family Science, The Ohio State University.
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bartle-Haring
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Development & Family Science, The Ohio State University.
authors.forename: Eugene
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Holowacz
authors.affiliation: Marriage & Family Therapy, Fairfield University.
authors.forename: Erica E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Hartwell
authors.affiliation: Alliant International University.
authors.forename: Tatiana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Glebova
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019546:Couples Therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D015146:Midwestern United States; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult