A Self-Determination Theory Approach to Depressive Symptoms after Marriage: A Causal Model

Abstract: This study examined post marriage depressive symptoms as related to basic psychological needs satisfaction and frustration, as well as significant life stressors. The mediating roles of general purpose in life and marital self-efficacy were also examined. A total of 350 women fulfilling both inclusion and exclusion criteria participated in this research. To collect the data five surveys were used, as well as a demographic questionnaire. Participants responded to the Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction and Frustration Scale (Chen et al., 2015); Stressful Life Events Questionnaire (Bergman et al., 2007), Marital Self-Efficacy Scale (Caprara et al., 2004), General Purpose in Life Questionnaire (Byron and Miller-Perrin, 2009), and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, Revised (Eaton et al., 2004). Results from structural equation modeling analysis indicated that general purpose in life fully mediated the relationship between basic psychological needs satisfaction, basic psychological needs frustration, and the depressive symptoms. Basic psychological needs frustration has shown the strongest direct effect on depressive symptoms. Additionally, although marital self-efficacy showed a significant relationship with basic psychological needs satisfaction and frustration, it did not mediate their relationship with depressive symptoms. Surprisingly, the significant life stressors were found not to be correlated with any of the key variables. The combination of basic psychological needs satisfaction and basic psychological needs frustration accounted for 60% of the variance in General purpose in life. Also, the combination of the variances explained 21% variance of marital self-efficacy. Overall, the model accounted for 67% of the variance in depressive symptoms after marriage. Results suggest that self-determination theory, as it claims, explains both well-being and psychopathology, as well as the interpersonal context reasonably. Also, the prevalence of depressive symptoms after marriage is a factor worth considering while studying the psychopathology of interpersonal relationships.