Relational Ethics, Depressive Symptoms, and Relationship Satisfaction in Couples in Therapy

• Published in: Journal of marital and family therapy Vol. 41; no. 3; pp. 354 - 366
• Main Authors: Gangamma, Rashmi, Bartle-Haring, Suzanne, Holowacz, Eugene, Hartwell, Erica E., Glebova, Tatiana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.07.2015
• Subjects: Adult; Caregiver Child Relationship; Couples; Couples Therapy; Depression (Psychology); Depression - physiopathology; Ethics; Family Counseling; Female; Females; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Interpersonal Relationship Satisfaction; Male; Males; Marriage counseling; Mental depression; Midwestern United States; Models, Theoretical; Personal Satisfaction; Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires; Theory; Trust; Universities; Young Adult; Midwestern United States
• ISSN: 0194-472X; 1752-0606
• DOI: 10.1111/jmft.12070

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.