A Caregiving Model of Coping with a Partner's Depression*

To test a caregiving model of depression in spouses, 31 married couples completed interview and questionnaire assessments of depressive symptoms and caregiving activities. Spouses living with a part- ner with depressive symptoms had more symptoms of depression themselves. However, this association was found to be fully mediated by spouses' perceived level of caregiving stress and burden. Results sug- gest that feelings of stress associated with caring for a depressed spouse may lead to depressive symptoms in the caregiving spouse and should be addressed in treatment.