Depression relational aspects: The concept of "face-saving" in two clinical cases

Abstract

This study investigated interactional aspects of depression, through the "face-saving" concept. The study included two families with mothers diagnosed with postpartum depression, assisted in Brief Parent-infant Psychotherapy. Analysis of the explicit and latent contents aimed to identify empirical evidences of "face-saving" concept according to parenting and marital relationship axis. Regarding parenting, the evidence supported a tendency to parentification of older children, at least in one family. However there were no reports of difficulties in caring for the baby. Concerning marital relationship, there were exaggerated expectations of the spouse, his functioning as a spokesperson in therapy and, contrary to expectations, intense marital conflict. Finally, we discussed the advantages and limitations of using the concept of face-saving in different depressive disorders.