The Impact of the Emotional Life of Parents on Relationships

During a lit review for class, I came across the following information in a journal article that I have excerpted here...

Studies have shown that psychological characteristics of parents, such as depression, are related to the quality of parent-child interaction and the quality of communication between marital partners, which in turn, contributes to the ability of family members to support one another during times of crisis.

Results from several studies reveal that parents who are depressed are less sensitive in their interactions with their children. In comparison to nondepressed parents, depressed parents evidence more negative affective styles and more depressed affect in their communications with their children.

In their extensive work on depressed mothers and their relationship with their children, Murray (1993) found that depressed women expressed more negative affect to their children; they were less focused on their child's perception and experience.

Coyne (2002) found that compared to non depressed women, depressed women report more difficulty discussing problems with their spouses and that their spouses failed to fill their emotional needs and to provide comfort and help.

Biglan and colleagues (1985) found that the interactions of couples in which one partner is depressed are marked by hostility and that the nondepressed spouse may withdraw emotionally from the relationship.

These studies lay the groundwork for understanding how the emotional well-being of one partner is related to the willingness of the other partner to openly discuss his or her concerns, fears, and anxiety.

The impact of depression is far and wide, especially when it occurs among parents.
How do we know when we, or our loved ones, are depressed?
Do you know what can be done if you suspect that you, or they, are depressed?