Baltimore Couples Counseling Archives | Therapy & Marriage Counseling

Unsupportive Spouse Increases Risk for Depression
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Unsupportive Spouse Increases Risk for Depression

Couples, Marriage, Relationships

Unsupportive Spouse Increases Risk for Depression

According to a University of Michigan study, having an unsupportive spouse can significantly increase the risk of depression. The study analyzed ten years of data from nearly 5000 adults. Researchers found that the quality of people’s relationships with a spouse, predicted the likelihood of depression, regardless of how often their social interactions took place. Individuals with strained relationships were significantly more likely to develop depression , whereas those without a spouse were at no increased risk at all. People with the lowest quality relationships- characterized by a lack of support and social strain- had more than twice the risk of depression than those with the best relationships. (PLOS ONE, April 30th)

I wonder if this is a big surprise to people? Relationships and connections with others are the “fuel” of our emotional well-being. We are born with innate need to connect and feel emotionally safe with others. When that is threatened by an unsupportive relationship then it almost has to create a sense of emptiness, which can lead to a depression. I would be curious to hear what others have to say on this matter. Please place your comments and thoughts in the space provided below.

levbre2024-02-28T18:32:00-05:00July 11th, 2014|Couples, Marriage, Relationships|

Happily Married Couples Are More Likely To Gain Weight

Researchers at Southern Methodist University tracked 169 newlyweds for four years, checking in twice a year to assess weight, height, marital satisfaction, stress, and steps towards divorce. They found the happier the couple was in the marriage the more weight they gained. This was in contrast to couples that were less happier, who tended to gain less weight over the course of the study (Health Psychology, Online March 11)

I’m curious as to what others think about this study. It has always been my impression that individuals fall into one of three groups as it relates to stress/depression and appetite/weight change- increased appetite/weight gain, decreased appetite/weight loss, and no change at all (symptoms may show in other areas e.g. insomnia). What is it then about marital stress that tends to trigger weight loss? Is it that these partners are choosing to control their weight because they are thinking of divorce and they choose to lose weight in order to be more appealing and attractive for their next partner? Or should the focus be on those that are married and their weight gain and that when someone finds satisfaction in their marriage they can begin to appreciate the person more for who they are and less for their figure? I would be interested in hearing what other readers have to say.

Please use the “comments” space below this blog to write your thoughts. Also if you found this blog interesting, please go ahead and sign up below for a free email subscription to this blog.

levbre2024-02-28T18:31:12-05:00June 12th, 2014|Couples, Marriage, Relationships|

Test-Taking Improves Learning In People Of All Ages

Do you think that you remember and learn better when you know that you will be tested on that material? Have you ever been required to study and memorize an abundant amount of information and wonder whether it would be helpful to take practice exams (assuming that practice exams were available)? In a recent article from the the online journal “Psychology and Aging” it described a study where researchers led by a psychologist with the Houston Veterans Affairs designed a study to answer this questions. The study included 60 college students, 60 younger adults, and 60 older adults. They were given 15 minutes to study and read materials on four different topics.
They then took a multiple choice test on two of the topics and were told which questions they incorrectly answered. Then the participants restudied the topics the test had not covered and took an exam on all four of the topics, either later that day or a couple of days later. The researchers found that adults of various ages improved their retention of new information when they were tested and graded on the material compared to when they only restudied the material.

levbre2024-02-28T18:30:53-05:00May 21st, 2014|Coaching, Exercise|