The cognitions of 63 couples were examined to explicate the link between marital conflict and depression. Following a laboratory-based marital problem solving discussion, spouses listed cognitions about these discussions and thoughts about the future of their relationship. Cognitions also were assessed using the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire and Marital Attitude Survey. Self-reported assessments of mood were obtained before and after the problem solving discussion. Depressed wives exhibited significantly more self-blame and hopeless thoughts than nondepressed wives. Self-blame, partner-blame, and hopelessness in reference to the problem solving discussions were associated with spouses' mood states after a problem solving discussion, albeit in different ways. The results support the importance of hopelessness and blame in understanding the link between marital discord and depression. (click to download this manuscript [Adobe Acrobat format])

Marital dysfunction is a significant problem in the U.S., with far-ranging effects on the mental health, physical health, and economic well-being of people who experience it. In addition, marital discord and divorce appear to have adverse effects on children. This review describes the historical roots of current prevention programs and critically reviews marriage preparation programs that have been examined in the peer-reviewed literature. The results of 13 studies suggest that behaviorally-oriented, skills-based marriage preparation programs can lead to behavioral changes that may help prevent the emergence of marital dysfunction. Whereas there has been modest improvement in the methodology of the program evaluations, suggestions for continued improvements are made. Ways to enhance the effectiveness of marriage preparation programs using the principles of prevention are described. (click to download this manuscript [Adobe Acrobat format])

This chapter addresses some of the issues associated with assessing marital dysfunction from two divergent sources: spouses in an unhappy marriage. Suggestions for conducting behavioral assessments of marital dysfunction are provided from the theoretical as well as the practical standpoint. Marital assessment measures are reviewed and a case description is provided that illustrates some of the principles discussed. (click to request this chapter)

Attributional dimensions for marital conflict were derived using a multidimensional scaling of spouse' explanations for relationship problems. Four dimensions for husbands and four dimensions for wives were interperted by using vidual inspection and their relation to attributional dimensions drawn from the literature. Most of the dimensions reflected the locus of factors affecting relationship problems. However, the dimensions seemed to have additional meaning beyond the causal dimensions used in many of past studies. Particularly, noteworthy were dimensions (one for husbands and one for the wives) that reflected attrbutions to relationship schism or the "poor state of the relationship." Additionally, one of the husbands' attributional dimensions refeclted a denial of serious problems in the relationship. Initial evidence suggested that attributional dimensions in the present study were associated with marital distress. The results are interpreted in light of existing research, and the implications of the findings for future investigations are discussed. (click to request this article)

The causal pathways that link depression and dissatisfaction in intimate relationships were estimated in 115 patients during the first 12 weeks of treatment with cognitive-behavioral therapy for depression. Depression severity, asmeasured by the Beck Depression Inventory, was negatively correlated with relationship satisfaction at intake and at 12 weeks. However, structural equation modeling was not consistent with the hypothesis that depression severity has a causal effect on relationship sataifaction levels and suggested that relationship satisfaction may have only a weal reciprocal effect on depression severity. As prediced, married patients were substantially less depressedd 12 weeks after the beginning of treatment, when contrilling for intial depression deverity. Contrary to expectations, marital status predicted improvement when the relationship satisfaction was controlled. Unexpectedly, dysthymia at intake was assocaited with low relationship satisfaction after 12 weeks, when intial relationship satisfaction was controlled, suggesting that chronic, low-evel depression may have a strnoger association with interperonal problems than other forms of depression, such as major depressive episodes. The theoretical and clinical implications of the findings are discussed. (click to request this article)

Heyman, R. E., Sayers, S. L., & Bellack, A. S. (1994). Global marital satisfaction vs. marital adjustment: Empirical comparison of three measures. Journal of Family Psychology, 8, 432-436.

Sayers, S. L., Baucom, D. H., & Tierney, A. M. (1993). Sex roles, interpersonal control, and depression: Who can get their way? Journal of Research in Personality, 27, 377-395.

Sayers, S. L., & Baucom, D. H. (1991). The role of femininity and masculinity in distressed couples' communication. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 61, 641-647.

Sayers, S. L., Baucom, D. H., Sher, T. G., Weiss, R. L., & Heyman, R. E. (1991). Constructive engagement, behavioral marital therapy, and changes in marital satisfaction. Behavioral Assessment, 13, 25-49.

Baucom, D. H., Sayers, S. L., & Sher, T. G. (1990). Supplementing behavioral marital therapy with cognitive restructuring and emotional expressiveness training: An outcome investigation. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 58, 636-645.

Baucom, D. H., Sayers, S. L., & Duhe, A. (1989). Attributions style and attributions patterns among married couples. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 56, 596-607.

Baucom, D. H., Epstein, N., Sayers, S. L., & Sher, T. G. (1989). The role of cognitions in marital relationships: Definitional, methodological and conceptual issues. Journal of Clinical and Consulting Psychology, 57, 31-38.

Burnett, C. K., & Sayers, S. L. (1988). PMI Profile - Premarital counseling handbook. Chapel Hill: Intercommunications Publishing, Inc. Click here to go to the Intercommunications Publishing, Inc. website to purchase a copy of this handbook.

Sayers, S. L., & Burnett, C. K. (1988). PMI Profile - Couple's premarital counseling workbook. Chapel Hill: Intercommunications Publishing, Inc Click here to go to the Intercommunications Publishing, Inc. website to purchase a copy of this handbook.