Marital satisfaction and depression: Different causal relationships for men and women?

A sample of 150 recently married couples provided data regarding marital satisfaction and depressive symptoms. Approximately 18 months later, 116 of these couples provided complete information on marital satisfaction and depression once again. The data were examined using three sets of causal models, which yielded converging results. For men, causal paths emerged from depression to marital satisfaction, whereas for women, causal paths were from satisfaction to depression. The results are discussed in relation to the marital discord model of depression.