Exploring the Relationship between Partner Communication and Depressive Symptoms: A Longitudinal Study of Acceptance and Rejection

Abstract

This dissertation draws upon the interactional theory of depression (Coyne, 1976) and interpersonal acceptance-rejection theory (Rohner, 2016) to explore the relationship between partner communication and depressive symptoms. A non-clinical sample of 280 partnered adults living in the United States and Canada completed self-report surveys at two time points separated by approximately eight weeks. The online surveys measured participant’s perceptions of accepting and rejecting communication they received from their romantic partners. Accepting and rejecting communication consisted of communication of warmth, indifference, and neglect. Participants also self-reported depressive symptomatology, excessive reassurance seeking, relationship satisfaction, and demographic variables. Based on a longitudinal hierarchical multiple regression analysis, results indicated that the communication variables (warmth, indifference, and neglect) did not predict depression symptoms, but prior depression symptoms did strongly predict subsequent symptoms. Excessive reassurance seeking was also a significant (albeit weak) predictor of depression symptoms. Implications for therapeutic practice and future research are discussed.