Causal relationships between ante- and postnatal depression and marital intimacy: from longitudinal research with new parents

This paper examines causal relationships between depressive symptoms and marital intimacy during transition to parenthood. A series of questionnaire survey was conducted, a causal direction within couples was identified: wives' depression during pregnancy affects their intimacy toward husbands subsequently, and decreases husbands' intimacy toward wives.

Japanese Journal of Family Psychology