Communication about the self and partner in the relationships of dependents and self-critics.

Abstract

This study examined two depression-related individual difference variables, Dependency and Self-Criticism, in relation to communication about the self and a romantic partner. Sixty-five women varying on Dependency and Self-Criticism were assessed with their partners during an interaction in which they appraised their own and each others' performance on a previous conflict resolution task. Irrespective of current depression levels, highly self-critical women were found to emit higher proportions of negative statements about their own and their partners' performance. Partners responded, in turn, with more negative feedback about the self-critic. Highly dependent women were not distinguished with respect to their own behavior, but elicited less negative feedback from their partners. The roles of Dependency and Self-Criticism in the elucidation of different interpersonal cycles of depression are discussed.