Marital Satisfaction and Depressive Symptoms Among Korean Couples With Young Children: Dyadic Autoregressive Cross-Lagged Modeling

Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the bidirectional associations between marital satisfaction and depressive symptoms among Korean couples with young children. Background The associations between marital satisfaction and depressive symptoms have been known as reciprocal in actor effects. However, little research has examined partner effects, gender differences, and the directionality between them, particularly in collectivistic cultures. Method We investigated actor (i.e., the associations between marital satisfaction and one's own depressive symptoms) and partner (i.e., the associations between marital satisfaction and partner's depressive symptoms) effects, gender differences, and the directionality between marital satisfaction and depressive symptoms using a dyadic autoregressive cross-lagged model. The participants were 1,264 couples in the Panel Study of Korean Children. The couples reported on marital satisfaction and depressive symptoms at three time points over a 4-year period. Results The results showed bidirectional associations in both actor and partner effects. In addition, a series of nested models found no gender differences in actor and partner effects and further revealed that the bidirectional associations were the same in both actor and partner effects. Conclusion These findings enhance understanding of the reciprocal associations between marital satisfaction and depressive symptoms both within-person and across partners for Korean couples in a collectivistic culture. Implications The findings provide evidence that couples therapy and/or dyadic treatment programs are needed for both spouses who experience depressive symptoms and marital problems. Brief screening of depressive symptoms and marital problems may be helpful to prevent a vicious cycle.