Discriminant Analysis of Depressive Interactions

An observation system of 28 categories was developed to measure verbal behavior in dyadic interactions. It was hypothesized that this observation system should be sensitive to forms of depressive verbal interactions. Twenty-six distressed couples were investigated. In 13 of these distressed couples one partner suffered from major depressive disorders, and in 13 couples no partner was depressed. Three hundred twelve minutes of conversation of each couple were tape-recorded and categorized by six independent raters (with high reliability). With a discriminant analysis, it was possible to differentiate depression-specific frequencies of verbal behavior categories. Negative self-evaluations, negative well-being verbalizations, negative future orientation, agreements, and positive statements about the partner and the relationship were all behavior patterns typical for depressed people. The behavioral differences among depressed patients, their spouses, and nondepressed couples are discussed from an interactional framework.