Depression, relationship quality, and couples' demand/withdraw and demand/submit sequential interactions. J Couns Psychol 2014 Apr;61(2):264-79
Date
04/23/2014Pubmed ID
24749515DOI
10.1037/a0035241Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84898813104 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 28 CitationsAbstract
This study investigated the associations among depression, relationship quality, and demand/withdraw and demand/submit behavior in couples' conflict interactions. Two 10-min conflict interactions were coded for each couple (N = 97) using Structural Analysis of Social Behavior (SASB; Benjamin, 1979a, 1987, 2000a). Depression was assessed categorically (via the presence of depressive disorders) and dimensionally (via symptom reports). Results revealed that relationship quality was negatively associated with demanding behavior, as well as receiving submissive or withdrawing behavior from one's partner. Relationship quality was positively associated with withdrawal. Demanding behavior was positively associated with women's depression symptoms but negatively associated with men's depression symptoms. Sequential analysis revealed couples' behavior was highly stable across time. Initiation of demand/withdraw and demand/submit sequences were negatively associated with partners' relationship adjustment. Female demand/male withdraw was positively associated with men's depression diagnosis. Results underscore the importance of sequential analysis when investigating associations among depression, relationship quality, and couples' interpersonal behavior.
Author List
Knobloch-Fedders LM, Critchfield KL, Boisson T, Woods N, Bitman R, Durbin CEAuthor
Lynne Knobloch-Fedders Ph.D. Assistant Professor in the Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology department at Marquette UniversityMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Adaptation, PsychologicalAdult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Depressive Disorder
Female
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Male
Middle Aged
Sex Factors
Sexual Partners
Young Adult
