Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between perceived criticism and depression. Relationships among perceived criticism, dyadic adjustment, and dyadic communication behaviors were examined. In Study 1, participants of the Sample 1 were 117 married women and completed measures of perceived criticism, depressive symptoms, and perfectionism. Follow-up data on the perceived criticism and depression were collected after 3 months. Participants in the Sample 2 consisted of 112 married men and women and completed measures of depressive symptoms, perceived criticism, dyadic adjustment, dysfunctional attitude, and self-esteem. In Study 2, sixty-three couples participated in the study. Each couple completed measures of perceived criticism, depressive symptoms and personality styles and discussed about their marital conflicts for 30-45 minutes. Their discussions were tape-recorded and analyzed on their communication behaviors using the Korean version of Conflict Rating system(Heavy et al., 1993). Results indicated that the perceived criticism scale had a satisfactory test-retest reliability(r=.60). There were significant correlations between perceived criticism and concurrent depression, and between perceived criticism and depression of three months after. Perceived criticism was signifiantly associated with dysfunctional attitude and sociotropy personality style. Results indicated that there were significant gender differences in the relationships among perceived criticism, dyadic adjustment, and dyadic communication behaviors. Clinical implications of the findings were discussed.