W W Hale1. 1. University of Maastricht, Faculties of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Medical, Clinical and Experimental Psychology, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands. bill.hale@dep.unimaas.nl
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Social support is associated with depression outcome and is effected by observable behaviors that express involvement. METHODS: Eleven remitted depressed patients were studied during a social interaction with their partner and a similar interaction with a stranger, matched on the sex and age of the partner. RESULTS: The patient-partner interaction displayed lower levels of involvement as compared to the patient-stranger interaction despite successful treatment for depression. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that the findings are reflective of the continuing depressogenic process. LIMITATIONS: A healthy control group for the patient-partner group was not employed. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Behavioral interactions between patients and partners may require as much attention during treatment as depressive symptomology alone.
BACKGROUND: Social support is associated with depression outcome and is effected by observable behaviors that express involvement. METHODS: Eleven remitted depressedpatients were studied during a social interaction with their partner and a similar interaction with a stranger, matched on the sex and age of the partner. RESULTS: The patient-partner interaction displayed lower levels of involvement as compared to the patient-stranger interaction despite successful treatment for depression. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that the findings are reflective of the continuing depressogenic process. LIMITATIONS: A healthy control group for the patient-partner group was not employed. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Behavioral interactions between patients and partners may require as much attention during treatment as depressive symptomology alone.
Authors: William W Hale; Quinten A W Raaijmakers; Coby Gerlsma; Wim Meeus Journal: Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol Date: 2007-01-31 Impact factor: 4.328