Marital satisfaction in patients with major depressive disorder

Abstract

Objective To examine level of marital satisfaction and other related factors in patients with major depressive disorder.

Materials and methods Data were obtained from 60 major depressive disorder patients at psychiatric outpatient department and 100 patients with other diseases (control
group) attending family practice clinic at Ramathibodi Hospital from April to August 2008. The instruments employed in this study were Locke-Wallace Marital Adjustment test, Patient Health Questionnaire and WHO (five) Well-Being Index (1998 version).

Results Demographic characteristics between the depressive group and the control group were not different excepted the economic status. The majority of the samples was females, married and lived with their spouses. Depressive group had lower marital satisfaction scores than the control group (87.7 and 118.4) and had higher marital distress (50% and 22%). In depressive group, factor correlated with marital satisfaction were perceived support from other family members and severity of depressive symptoms.

Conclusion Depressive group had more patients with marital distress than the control group. Marital satisfaction in patients with major depressive disorder was correlated with perceived support from other family members and severity of depressive symptoms. Psychiatrists should perform psychosocial assessment and interventions for depressive
patients.