Observed support behaviors and depression symptoms in romantic couples.

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Title: Observed support behaviors and depression symptoms in romantic couples.
Authors: Parnell, Lucas H. (AUTHOR), Chow, Chong Man (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Social & Clinical Psychology. Feb2026, Vol. 45 Issue 1, p1-25. 25p.
Subjects: Social support, Mental depression, Helping behavior, Psychological adaptation, Dyadic analysis (Social sciences), Significant others
Abstract: Introduction: The link between social support and psychological adjustment can be complex, and supportive behaviors between partners may, at times, become maladaptive and negatively impact each partner's mental health. Utilizing a dyadic approach, this study examined the effect of social support behaviors on depression symptoms in couples. Methods: Romantic couples (N = 123) recruited from southern United States completed a survey assessing depressive symptoms. Observational support interactions were conducted to measure partners' positive and negative affective support behaviors. Structural equation modeling and actor-partner interdependence models (APIM) were used to estimate effects. Results: Results highlight the unfavorable effects of negative social support behaviors on individuals' own and their partner's depression symptoms. Additionally, high levels of negative support from one's partner can amplify the influence of negative support on one's own depression symptoms. Positive support behaviors produced no significant predictors of depression symptoms. Discussion: The association between social support behaviors and depression symptoms in couples is beyond individual level; it can be a dependency of both individuals. Future research should continue to examine the complex relationship between social support and psychological adjustment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Journal of Social & Clinical Psychology is the property of Guilford Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: Observed support behaviors and depression symptoms in romantic couples.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Parnell%2C+Lucas+H%2E%22">Parnell, Lucas H.</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Chow%2C+Chong+Man%22">Chow, Chong Man</searchLink> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Journal+of+Social+%26+Clinical+Psychology%22">Journal of Social & Clinical Psychology</searchLink>. Feb2026, Vol. 45 Issue 1, p1-25. 25p.
– Name: Subject
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+support%22">Social support</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mental+depression%22">Mental depression</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Helping+behavior%22">Helping behavior</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Psychological+adaptation%22">Psychological adaptation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Dyadic+analysis+%28Social+sciences%29%22">Dyadic analysis (Social sciences)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Significant+others%22">Significant others</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Introduction: The link between social support and psychological adjustment can be complex, and supportive behaviors between partners may, at times, become maladaptive and negatively impact each partner's mental health. Utilizing a dyadic approach, this study examined the effect of social support behaviors on depression symptoms in couples. Methods: Romantic couples (N = 123) recruited from southern United States completed a survey assessing depressive symptoms. Observational support interactions were conducted to measure partners' positive and negative affective support behaviors. Structural equation modeling and actor-partner interdependence models (APIM) were used to estimate effects. Results: Results highlight the unfavorable effects of negative social support behaviors on individuals' own and their partner's depression symptoms. Additionally, high levels of negative support from one's partner can amplify the influence of negative support on one's own depression symptoms. Positive support behaviors produced no significant predictors of depression symptoms. Discussion: The association between social support behaviors and depression symptoms in couples is beyond individual level; it can be a dependency of both individuals. Future research should continue to examine the complex relationship between social support and psychological adjustment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Journal of Social & Clinical Psychology is the property of Guilford Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1521/jscp.2026.45.1.001
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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      Pagination:
        PageCount: 25
        StartPage: 1
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Social support
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Mental depression
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Helping behavior
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Psychological adaptation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Dyadic analysis (Social sciences)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Significant others
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      – TitleFull: Observed support behaviors and depression symptoms in romantic couples.
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            NameFull: Chow, Chong Man
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              M: 02
              Text: Feb2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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