Using structural equation modeling analyses we examined the correlation in levels of depression symptoms within couples to determine whether the underlying mechanism is due to common stressors, empathic reactions, or crossover via social interaction. The analyses were based on two waves of data collection from a sample of 354 male Vietnam veterans, Era veterans (veterans who served elsewhere during the period of the Vietnam War), and nonveterans and from their wives or committed partners. The results demonstrated that the correlation in depression symptoms within couples is due primarily to common stressors and crossover via negative social interaction. Common stressful life events increase depression in both spouses, and this in turn increases social undermining, which further increases depression.
ABBEY, A., ABRAMIS, D. J., & CAPLAN, R. D.Effects of different sources of social support and social conflict on well-being. Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 1985, 6, 111-129.
2.
BENTLER, P. M.EQS structural equation program manual. Los Angeles, CA: BMDP Statistical Software, 1989.
3.
BENTLER, P. M.Comparative fit indexes in structural models. Psychological Bulletin, 1990, 107238-246.
BOLGER, N., DELONGIS, A., KESSLER, R., & SCHILLING, E.Effects of daily stress on negative mood. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1989, 57, 808-818. (a)
6.
BOLGER, N., DELONGIS, A., KESSLER, R., & WETHINGTON, E.The contagion of stress across multiple roles. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 1989, 51175-183. (b)
7.
BOLLEN, K. A.Overall fit in covariance structure models: Two types of size effects. Psychological Bulletin, 1990, 107, 256-259.
8.
BURKE, R. J., WEIR, T., & DOUWORS, R. E.Work demands on administrators and spouse well-being. Human Relations, 1980, 33, 253-278.
9.
CONGER, R. D., LORENZ, R. O., EDLER, G. H., SIMONS, R. L., & XIAOJIA, G. E.Husband and wife differences in response to undesirable life events. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 1993, 3471-88.
10.
COYNE, J. C., & DOWNEY, G.Social factors and psychopathology: Stress, social support, and coping processes. Annual Review of Psychology, 1991, 42401-425.
11.
CRONKITE, R. C., & MOOS, R. H.The role of predisposing and moderating factors in the stress-illness relationship. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 1984, 25, 372-393.
12.
CVETANOVSKI, J., & JEX, S. M.Locus of control of unemployed people and its relationship to psychological and physical well-being. Work & Stress, 1994, 8, 60-67.
13.
DEROGATIS, L. R., LIPMANN, R. S., RICKELS, K., UHLENHUTH, E. H., & COVI, L.The Hopkins Checklist (HSCL): A measure of primary symptom dimensions. In P. Pichot (Ed.), Psychological measurement in psychopharmacology: Modern problems in pharmacopsychiatry, (Vol. 7). Basel: Karger, 1974, (pp. 79-110).
14.
FRENCH, J. R. P., JR., CAPLAN, R. D., & HARRISON, R. V.The mechanism of job stress and strain. London: Wiley, 1982.
15.
HOLMES, T., & RAHE, R.The social readjustment scale. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 1967, 11213-218.
16.
HUSIANI, B. A., & VON FRANK, A.Life events, coping resources, and depression: A longitudinal study of direct, buffering and reciprocal effects, Research in Community and Mental Health, 1985, 5111-136.
17.
JACKSON, S. E., & MASLACH, C.After-effects of job-related stress: Families as victims. Journal of Occupational Behavior, 1982, 363-77.
18.
JONES, E., & FLETCHER, B.An empirical study of occupational stress transmission in working couples. Human Relations, 1993, 46, 881-902.
19.
KAHN, J. P., COYNE, J. C., & MARGOLIN, G.Depression and marital disagreement: The social construction of despair. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 1985, 447-461.
20.
KANTER, R.Work and family in the United States: A critical review and agenda for research and policy. New York: Sage, 1977.
21.
KESSLER, R. C.Life events, social support, and mental health. In W. R. Gove (Ed.), Deviance and mental illness. Beverley Hills, CA: Sage, 1982.
22.
KRAUSE, N., LIANG, J., & YATOMI, N.Satisfaction of social support and depressive symptoms: A panel analysis. Psychology and Aging, 1989, 4, 88-97.
23.
LEFCOURT, H. M.Locus of control: Current trends in theory and research. Hillsdale, NJ: Earlbaum, 1982.
24.
MACEWEN, K., BARLING, J., & KELLOWAY, K.Effects of short-term role overload on marital interactions. Work and Stress, 1992, 6, 117-126.
25.
MITCHELL, R. E., CRONKITE, R. C., & MOOS, R. F.Stress, coping and depression among married couples. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 1983, 92433-448.
26.
NELSON, G., & BEACH, S.Sequential interaction in depression: Effects of depressive behavior on spousal aggression. Behavior Therapy, 1990, 21167-182.
27.
PAYKEL, E. S., MYERS, J. K., DIENELT, M. N., KLERMAN, G. L., LINDENTHAL, G. A., & PEPPER, M. P.Life events and depression: A controlled study. Archives of General Psychology, 1969, 21, 753-757.
28.
PEARLIN L. I., LIEBERMAN, E. G., MENAGHAN, E. G., & MULLAN, J. T.The stress process. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 1981, 22, 337-356.
29.
RAYKOV, T., TOMER, A., & NESSELROADE, J. R.Reporting structural equation modeling results in psychology and aging: Some proposed guidelines. Psychology and Aging, 1991, 6(4), 499-503.
30.
RILEY, D., & ECKENRODE, J.Social ties: Costs and benefits within different subgroups. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1986, 51770-778.
31.
ROOK, S. K.The negative side of social interaction: Impact on psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1984, 46, 1097-1108.
32.
ROOK, S. K., DOOLEY, D., & CATALANO, R.Stress transmission: The effects of husbands' job stressors on emotional health of their wives. Journal of Mariage and the Family, 1991, 53165-177.
33.
ROTTER, J. R.Generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reen-forcement. Psychological Monographs, 1966, 80609-609.
34.
ROUSSEAU, D.Relationship of work to nonwork. Journal of Applied Psychology, 1978, 63513-517.
35.
RUEHLMAN, L. S., & WOLCHIK, S. A.Personal goals and interpersonal support and hindrance as factors in psychological distress and well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1988, 55293-301.
36.
RUSSELL, D. W., & CUTRONA, C. E.Social support, stress, and depressive symptoms among the elderly: Test of a process model. Psychology and Aging, 1991, 6, 190-201.
37.
SCHAEFER, C., COYNE, J. C., & LAZARUS, R. S.The health-related functions of social support. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 1981, 4, 381-406.
38.
SCHMALING, K., & JACOBSON, N.Marital interaction and depression. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 1990, 99, 229-236.
39.
TAYLOR, S. E.Asymmetric effects of positive and negative events: The mobilization-minimization hypothesis. Psychological Bulletin, 1991, 11067-85.
40.
VINOKUR, A., & CAPLAN, R. D.Attitudes and social support: Determinants of job-seeking behavior and well-being among the unemployed. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 1987, 171007-1024.
41.
VINOKUR, A., CAPLAN, R. D., & WILLIAMS, C. C.Effects of recent and past stress on mental health: Coping with unemployment among Vietnam veterans and non-veterans. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 1987, 17710-730.
42.
VINOKUR, A., & SELZER, M. L.Desirable versus undesirable life events: Their relationship to stress and mental distress. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1975, 32329-337.
43.
VINOKUR, A., & VAN RYN, M.Social support and undermining in close relationships: Their independent effects on mental health of unemployed persons. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1993, 65350-359.
44.
VINOKUR, A., PRICE, R. H., & CAPLAN, R. D.Hard times and hurtful partners: How financial strain affects depression and relationship satisfaction of unemployed persons and their spouses. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1996, 71, 166-179.
45.
WESTMAN, M., & ETZION, D.Crossover of stress, strain and resources from one spouse to another. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 1995, 16, 169-181.
46.
WESTMAN, M., & SHIROM, A.Dimensions of coping behavior: A proposed conceptual framework. Anxiety, Stress, and Coping, 1995, 8, 87-100.
47.
WILLENSKY, H.Work, careers and social integration. International Social Science Journal, 1960, 12, 543-560.
48.
WILLIAMS, J. W., & ALLIGER, G. M.Role stressors, mood spillover, and perceptions of work-family conflict in employed parents. Academy of Management Journal, 1994, 37, 837-868.
