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. 2017 May;53(4):415-419.
doi: 10.1007/s10597-017-0101-3. Epub 2017 Feb 10.

The Role of Partner Support Among Women with Depressive Symptoms

Melissa A Davey-Rothwell  1 , Jennifer Stewart  2 , Alison Vadnais  3 , Sharif A Braxton  3 , Carl A Latkin  3
Affiliations

The Role of Partner Support Among Women with Depressive Symptoms

Melissa A Davey-Rothwell et al. Community Ment Health J. 2017 May.

Abstract

Scarce research has explored how sex partners and their provision of social support impact depression among women. The purpose of this study is to examine the role of social support (overall and specific types of support) provided by a sex partner on depressive symptoms among a sample of women (n = 295). We assessed depression using the Centers for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale and used a social network inventory to evaluate partner characteristics and types of support provided. Overall 76% (n = 225) of the sample experienced depressive symptoms in the past 90 days. Approximately one-third of the sample had a partner who provided emotional support (33.9%), financial support (36.6%), or socialization support (40.0%). About 41% of women said their partner offered no support while 16.3% had a partner who gave all three types of support. These findings demonstrate that partners and the level and types of support provided should not be discounted in mental health assessments.

Keywords: Depression; Partners; Social networks; Social support; Women.

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