Depression in Mature Marriages: Impact and Implications for Marital Therapy

Keywords

depression, marriage, marital therapy, mental health

Abstract

Recent reviews of MFT literature have shown a failure to address mental health issues of the aging. Chief among these issues is depression, one of the most common psychological disorder found in older people. Although the relationship between depression and aging is a well‐researched topic, few studies approach this common problem from a systemic perspective. Using data from a national survey of preretirement‐ and retirement‐aged couples, this paper discusses the association between depression and marital quality in mature marriages as well the possibility of mediating variables such as the personality construct hardiness. Implications for marital therapy with older coules experiencing depression and future research are discussed.

Original Publication Citation

Sandberg, J. G., & Harper, J. M. (1999). Depression in mature marriages: Impact and implications for marital therapy. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 25 (3), 393-406.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2007-06-08

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/5273

Publisher

Journal of Marital and Family Therapy

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Family Life

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

Link to Full Text

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