The DOI matches its Crossref record; 154 of the 154 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Intimate Relationships and Depression: Searching for Causation in the Sea of Association
Abstract
This article provides a critical review of existing research on intimate (marriage or marriage-like) relationship distress and risk for depression. Using the meta-framework of research triangulation, we seek to synthesize research evidence across several different methodologies and study designs and to draw the most reliable conclusion regarding a potential causal association between relationship distress and depression. Focusing on existing correlational (i.e., observational), genetically informed, and intervention (i.e., experimental) research on the association between relationship distress and depression, we conclude that the existing body of research evidence supports the claim that relationship distress is a causal risk factor for depression. A secondary aim of the article is to highlight a variety of effective methods that, when viewed from the perspective of triangulation, enhance the pursuit of causal inference, including propensity score matching, target trial emulation, directed acyclic graph approach, and Mendelian randomization.
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In the citing paper
“Previous research has identified an association between depressive symptoms and reduced relationship satisfaction and increased relationship stress (Doyle et al. 2021; Whisman et al. 2021).”
From “I Felt Like a Burden”: An Exploration Into the Experience of Romantic Relationships for People With ADHD (2026) · cites this paper as Whisman et al. 2021
In the citing paper
“discord in intimate relationships poses a significant risk for depression [58, 59] and, to some degree, anxiety [60].”
From Trajectories of Maternal and Paternal Internalizing Symptoms from Pregnancy to 2 Years Postpartum: Identifying Modifiable Risk and Protective Factors (2024) · cites this paper as [59]
In the citing paper
“This finding contrasts with a robust body of research demonstrating an association between couple discord and depression (refer to [59] for a review).”
From Trajectories of Maternal and Paternal Internalizing Symptoms from Pregnancy to 2 Years Postpartum: Identifying Modifiable Risk and Protective Factors (2024) · cites this paper as [59]
In the citing paper
“These findings converge with existing research demonstrating the efficacy of couples-based interventions for depression and relationship distress [59] and suggest that, beyond reducing relationship distress, fostering emotional intimacy and enhancing the quality as opposed to the mere frequency of support are especially important for paternal wellbeing.”
From Trajectories of Maternal and Paternal Internalizing Symptoms from Pregnancy to 2 Years Postpartum: Identifying Modifiable Risk and Protective Factors (2024) · cites this paper as [59]
Citations
Cites
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Davey Smith, G., & Hemani, G. (2014) · Human Molecular Genetics · doi:10.1093/hmg/ddu328 · Cited by 4,677
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Research works printed but not linked: 8
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- Beach SRH, 2014, Handbook of Depression, 552
- 10.1037/0021-843X.100.4.555 · DOI · Paper page
- Hernán MA, 2020, Causal Inference: What If
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
Items 101–104 of 104
Relationship Stress and Suicidal Ideation: A Daily Diary Study
Love, H. A., Bui, C., & Morgan, P. C. (2026) · Journal of Marital and Family Therapy · doi:10.1111/jmft.70131
Ma, S., Coppola, A. M., Maresh, E. L., Beltrán, D. G., Rhodes, K. M., Allen, J. J. B., Sbarra, D. A., & Andrews‐Hanna, J. R. (2026) · Cerebral Cortex · doi:10.1093/cercor/bhag073
Self-citationElhaddadi, M. (2026) · IntechOpen eBooks · doi:10.5772/intechopen.1015869
Kocaayan, S., Türk, B., Tatlıdil, E., & Polat, A. (2026) · Journal of Clinical Medicine · doi:10.3390/jcm15145405
Metadata
- Authors
- Whisman, M. A., Sbarra, D. A., & Beach, S. R. H.
- Affiliations
- University of Colorado Boulder (US)
- University of Arizona (US)
- University of Georgia (US)
- Venue
- Annual Review of Clinical Psychology
- Publisher
- Annual Reviews
- Published
- 2021-05-07
- Volume
- 17
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 233-258
- ISSN
- 1548-5943 (ISSN-L)
- 1548-5951
- OpenAlex
- W3128410192
- Cited by
- 104
- References
- 149
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 27 · 2024: 26 · 2023: 26 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 4
- FWCI
- 2.75
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Annual Review of Clinical Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute on Aging (R01AG059260)
- National Cancer Institute (R01CA220254)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
- Social Sciences › Demography › Family Dynamics and Relationships
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Keywords
- intimate relationships, relationship distress, depression, causal inference, marriage, causal risk factors, genetic research, intervention research, propensity score matching, target trial emulation, directed acyclic graphs, Mendelian randomization
- MeSH terms
- Depression, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Marriage, Risk Factors
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