Depressive Disorders and Interpersonal Processes

Depression is frequently associated with interpersonal problems. One such problem involves social skills deficits, through which depressed people communicate sadness and withdrawal to others. Another common problem is interpersonal rejection from others that is thought to be preceded by excessive reassurance seeking and emotional contagion. Finally, depression is often associated with problematic family relationships. These include marital distress, dysfunctional parenting behaviors by depressed mothers and fathers, and corrosive parenting practices enacted on children who go on to develop depression late in life. Theories built around these interpersonal constructs identify interpersonal problems as causes, consequences, maintaining forces, and vulnerabilities to depression.