Depressive symptoms, anger/hostility, and relationship quality in young couples

Abstract

Depression is associated with lower relationship quality, but this association could overlap with effects of other affective characteristics correlated with depression, specifically anger and hostility. We examined actor and partner associations of depressive symptoms and anger/hostility with relationship quality in 152 Caucasian and 42 African American young married or cohabitating couples. In significant actor and partner effects, higher levels of depressive symptoms and anger/hostility were independently associated with lower overall relationship quality, though they were associated with differing aspects of relationship quality. Although findings were generally similar across ethnic groups, partners' depression was significantly more closely related to relationship quality for Caucasian than African American couples. Hence, models of emotional adjustment and relationship quality should be expanded beyond depression to include anger/hostility, and preliminary evidence suggests potential ethnic similarities and differences. © 2014 Guilford Publications, Inc.