Couples’ depression and relationship satisfaction: examining the moderating effects of demand/withdraw communication patterns

This study used systemic perspectives and actor and partner interdependence model to examine actor and partner effects of depression on couples’ relationship satisfaction in sixty-three clinical couples. We also examined if a demand/withdraw communication pattern served a unique communication context that modified the impacts of depression on relationship satisfaction. Couples participated in a treatment-as-usual situation. The results showed that male depression had a negative impact on female relationship satisfaction. Males and females had different perceptions of male demand/female withdraw behaviours and it created different influences on each partner's depression in relation to relationship satisfaction. Practitioner points: Depression is an interpersonal event that therapists must always assess while providing intervention in relational issues Females’ relationship satisfaction is influenced by males’ depression and couple-based therapy can be beneficial for treating men's depression and women's relational well-being Couples therapists need to intervene in demand/withdraw behaviours at different levels corresponding to which gender is executing demand/withdraw behaviours.