New York, May 3 (ANI): People, who have unsupportive or critical spouses, are more likely to be in depression compared to others, who are not in a “steady, marriage-like relationship,” a study has claimed.
Psychiatrist Dr. Alan Teo from the University of Michigan, who led the study, told NPR that the quality of people’s relationships matters more than quantity when it comes to depression, the Huffington Post reported.
For the study, researchers surveyed 4,642 American adults in 25-75 age group in the 1990s and then again 10 years later.
Participants were asked questions, which were intended to measure their partner’s level of support, like how much they can rely on their spouse for help if they have a serious problem or how much can they open up to their spouse if they need to talk about their worries.
They were also asked questions like how often do their spouse criticize them or how often do the spouse let them down when they are being counting upon.
The study also examined the effects of other non-marital relationships with pals and family on depression, but found them to be less predictive than spousal relationships. (ANI)