| The price of depression to our society is staggering. When attributable morbidity costs (such as workplace related costs) and mortality are accounted for, it is estimated that depression costs our society {dollar}83.1 billion annually (Greenberg et al., 2003). While the monetary cost of depression is staggering, the relational costs of depression may be even more devastating to families and society. Marital relationships appear to be related to both the causes and the treatment of depression. The findings of the causal direction in the relationship between marital satisfaction and depression/depressive symptoms are mixed, however. Some (Whisman, 2001) have stated that a third variable may contribute to the observed relationship between depression/depressive symptoms and marital satisfaction. This research uses Bowen Family Systems Theory, specifically the theoretical construct of differentiation of self, to better understand the relationship between depressive symptoms and marital satisfaction across three sessions of conjoint therapy.; Participants in the study were recruited through the on campus Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic at The Ohio State University. Participants completed self-report measures regarding differentiation of self, relationship satisfaction and depressive symptoms at intake. At two follow ups, following the second and third therapy sessions, participants completed self-report measures of relationship satisfaction and depressive symptoms. Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM) was used to analyze data. HLM is a multilevel modeling approach which allows researchers to use couple level variables without losing individual differences.; This research both confirms and extends past research comparing depressive symptoms and relationship satisfaction. First, depressive symptoms and relationship satisfaction were significantly correlated over time. Second, aspects of differentiation were found to be associated with couple relationship satisfaction and depressive symptoms in both men and women. Specifically, men's emotional cutoff scores and I position scores and women's emotional reactivity scores and emotional cutoff scores were found to impact the trajectories of relationship satisfaction and depressive symptoms over time. Considering the results of this analysis, systemic therapy, informed by the constructs of Bowen Theory may be an appropriate method of treating depressive symptoms within the context of conjoint marital therapy. |
