The Effects of Self- and Partner- Schemas on Relationship Quality and Depression in Romantic Dyads
Abstract
Romantic relationship distress and depression are mutually reinforcing phenomena with common vulnerability factors. For instance, negative ‘schemas’ (i.e., cognitive representations) held for oneself and for one’s partner are established vulnerability factors of both relationship discord and depression. Negative schemas are defined by a structure of tightly interconnected negative content and loosely interconnected positive content. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of self- and partner- schema structures on relationship quality and depression in 150 romantic dyads. A multilevel modeling approach was used, following guidelines of the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model, to account for interdependence and allow for a novel examination of ‘partner effects.’ Results suggested that a loosely interconnected positive partner-schema structure was associated with actor’s and partner’s lower perceived relationship quality, and a tightly interconnected negative self-schema structure was associated with actor’s higher depression severity. Partner-schema structure may be a useful construct to integrate into existing couple therapy protocols.