Contagious depression in dating couples

Previous research suggests that people in close relationships with depresse d others are at heightened risk for developing depression themselves. Th is phenomenon has been termed contagious depression. The purpose of the curre nt investigation was twofold: (1) to more rigorously test a direct contagio n model by controlling for concurrent relationship satisfaction, and (2) to examine reassurance-seeking as a potential moderator of contagion. Undergr aduate dating couples (N = 105) completed measures of depression, relations hip satisfaction, and reassurance-seeking tendencies. Results suggested a s ignificant correspondence between partners' levels of depressive symptoms, even after controlling for relationship satisfaction. Further, reassurance- seeking tendencies moderated contagion within couples. That is, high reassu rance-seeking target individuals were more vulnerable to contagion via thei r partners than low reassurance-seeking targets. Directions For future rese arch are discussed.