Marital Status and Level of Depression and Anxiety

Abstract

Backround: Romantic relationships were described as the unique partnership where intimacy and mutual feelings of love and affection are manifested. However they may be linked with some level of anxiety and depression - two separate conditions, that strongly linked to one another with almost indistinguishable elements. The aim of the study to analyse the link between romantic relationships and depression & anxiety. Methods: A total of 120 participants currently engaged in a dating romantic relationship (80) and  marriage (40), specifically targeting young adults aged between 18-35 (M = 24.79 years) have filled questionaires.Main instruments that were used in this paper were: Rubin's Love Scale, PHQ-9) and Zung’s anxiety scale. Results: Results supported findings from previous research that are conducted in this field. While depression and anxiety levels are positively linked, participants who answered the questionnaire showed that when the love in the romantic relationship is high, anxiety and depression symptoms seemed to be decreased. Married individuals are more likely to have a high score of love and less score on depression & anxiety compared to individuals who are engaged in a dating relationship. Conclusions: Romantic or - better described- companionate love component of the relationships are linked with fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression. Married individuals had a higher score of romantic love, and fewer symptoms of depression anxiety, compared with the ones who were in a committed relationship.