Relationship Quality and Changes in Depressive Symptoms Among Urban, Married African Americans, Hispanics, and Whites

Author: Fagan, Jay

Source: Family Relations, Volume 58, Number 3, July 2009 , pp. 259-274(16)

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Abstract:

Bivariate analyses showed that continuously married urban African American, non-Hispanic White, and Hispanic fathers and mothers reporting greater marital support and less relational control experienced a decrease in depressive symptoms. Multiple regression showed a stronger association between concurrent marital support and decreased depressive symptoms for mothers than fathers. African American and Hispanic fathers reporting higher levels of spousal relationship support when children were infants reported a larger decrease in depressive symptoms when children were age 3 compared to non-Hispanic Whites. Relationship control at age 3 was positively related to increased depressive symptoms among all groups except African American fathers and White mothers. African American and Hispanic fathers with marital problems may need additional support services.

Keywords: African American; depressive symptoms; Hispanic; marriage; relationship quality

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3729.2009.00551.x

Publication date: 2009-07-01