Communication patterns and response to treatment among depressed and nondepressed maritally distressed couples.

Compared 35 maritally distressed couples assigned to 1 of 3 cognitive behavioral marital therapy (BMT) groups. Groups represented (1) couples in which 1 spouse was depressed at pretest, (2) couples in which 1 spouse showed psychopathology other than depression, and (3) couples who showed no symptoms of individual psychopathology. Ss were administered, pre- and posttreatment, the Dyadic Adjustment Scale and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). Pretreatment couples in Group 1 were the oldest and the least maritally satisfied, and expressed the most negative communication. 12 wks of BMT was an effective treatment modality for all groups when compared with a group of 12 couples on a wait list. BMT significantly increased marital adjustment for all 3 treatment groups and decreased the rates of negative communication. BMT significantly decreased the level of depression in Group 1 and the level of psychopathology in Group 2. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)