Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...

Depression: Overview

Depression: Overview

Depression is a prevalent mental illness marked by persistent sadness and lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities. It can take several forms, including major depression, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar I and II disorders. Symptoms range from emotional changes like chronic worry to physical changes like sleep disturbances and suicidal thoughts. From a neurobiological perspective, depression is believed to be triggered by abnormalities in the brain's prefrontal cortex,...

Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia

Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia

Depressive disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by pervasive feelings of sadness, diminished pleasure in life, and a significant impact on daily functioning. These conditions are most prevalent in individuals during their 30s and affect women at twice the rate of men. Contrary to popular belief, younger individuals are generally more susceptible to these disorders than older adults. Two key types of depressive disorders include Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and...

Ending Relationships

Ending Relationships

The dissolution of intimate relationships presents complex emotional and psychological challenges, particularly when emotional bonds are strong, the relationship is long-standing, and perceived alternatives are limited. This distress often intensifies in romantic breakups, where the initiator may experience greater turmoil than the rejected partner. Contributing factors include residual attachment, guilt over causing pain, and uncertainty about how to manage the situation. The stress is further...

Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development

Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development

Social-emotional experiences and cultural influences play significant roles in shaping gender development. During middle childhood, from ages 6 to 11, peer groups become dominant in reinforcing gender norms. Children in this age group often align with same-gender peer groups, which actively encourage behaviors that conform to traditional gender roles. For instance, boys may be discouraged from engaging in activities perceived as feminine, reinforcing culturally dictated norms about masculinity...

Jealousy in Romantic Relationships

Jealousy in Romantic Relationships

Jealousy is an instinctive yet socially complex emotion that arises when a close relationship is threatened. Its origins lie in both biological imperatives and sociocultural conditioning, making it a multifaceted psychological construct. Although universally experienced, the triggers and expressions of jealousy vary notably between individuals, especially across genders, due to evolutionary pressures and cultural influences.Gender Differences and Evolutionary TheoryEvolutionary theory explains...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

The social environment and cognitive aging over the life course: laying out critical concepts and research gaps.

Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association·2026

Same author

Social connection and cognitive health: A review of concepts, measures, and research priorities.

Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association·2026

Same author

Exposure and Emotional Reactivity to Daily Stressors in Same-Sex and Different-Sex Marriages.

Journal of marriage and the family·2026

Same author

How Aging Same-Sex and Different-Sex Spouses Influence Each Other's Health Behaviors: Change Over a Six-Year Period.

Research on aging·2026

Same author

Dynamics of Adult Child-Mother Relationships in Emerging Adulthood by Gender and Race.

Social psychology quarterly·2025

Same author

Distributions of Adverse Childbearing Experiences Across Racial and Ethnic Groups: A Research Note.

Demography·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 14, 2026

Design and Implementation of an fMRI Study Examining Thought Suppression in Young Women with, and At-risk, for Depression

Design and Implementation of an fMRI Study Examining Thought Suppression in Young Women with, and At-risk, for Depression

Published on: May 19, 2015

Marital Processes around Depression: A Gendered and Relational Perspective.

Mieke Beth Thomeer¹, Debra Umberson¹, Tetyanna Pudrovska²

¹Department of Sociology, Population Research Center, University of Texas at Austin, 305 E. 23rd Street, Stop G1800, Austin, TX 78712-1699.

Society and Mental Health

|April 28, 2015

Summary

In marriages, a wife's depression significantly impacts her husband's mental health, but a husband's depression does not affect his wife's. Gendered cultural norms shape these marital depression dynamics.

More Related Videos

A Multiple Integrated Social Stress Model for Psychiatric Disorders in Female C57BL/6J Mice

A Multiple Integrated Social Stress Model for Psychiatric Disorders in Female C57BL/6J Mice

Published on: July 15, 2025

A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats

A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats

Published on: February 22, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 14, 2026

Design and Implementation of an fMRI Study Examining Thought Suppression in Young Women with, and At-risk, for Depression

Design and Implementation of an fMRI Study Examining Thought Suppression in Young Women with, and At-risk, for Depression

Published on: May 19, 2015

A Multiple Integrated Social Stress Model for Psychiatric Disorders in Female C57BL/6J Mice

A Multiple Integrated Social Stress Model for Psychiatric Disorders in Female C57BL/6J Mice

Published on: July 15, 2025

A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats

A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats

Published on: February 22, 2018

Area of Science:

Psychology
Sociology
Mental Health Research

Background:

Marital processes significantly impact mental health.
Interpersonal dynamics of depression within marriage are understudied.
The gendered nature of these dynamics requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore gender's role in shaping depression processes within marriage.
To determine if depressive symptoms are contagious between spouses and if gender influences this.
To understand how cultural scripts of masculinity and femininity affect marital depression.

Main Methods:

Mixed-methods approach combining quantitative and qualitative data.
Longitudinal analysis of 2,601 couples from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS).
In-depth interviews with 29 couples experiencing depression.

Main Results:

A wife's depressive symptoms predict her husband's future depressive symptoms.
A husband's depressive symptoms do not predict his wife's future depressive symptoms.
Cultural scripts of masculinity and femininity influence depression and emotional responses within marriage.

Conclusions:

Gender significantly shapes interpersonal processes surrounding depression in marriage.
A gendered, couple-level approach is crucial for understanding marital mental health.
Wives' emotional states appear more influential on husbands' depression than vice versa.