ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the influence of lovers''communication patterns and matching on their depression symptoms. Methods 300 pairs of dating couple were recruited from nine universities in Hebei,Henan,Beijing and Shanghai by convenience sampling principle. They were asked to fulfill the com-munication patterns questionnaire-short form and center for epidemiologic studies depression scale.Polynomial regression model with response surface method was adopted to analyze the results. Results ( 1) The scores of demands/withdraw,completely avoid,constructive communication of boys and girls were (3.93±1.10,4.10 ±1.09)(6.65±1.70,6.49±1.74)(3.85±1.70,4.02±1.98),and the scores of depression of boys and girls were (1.60±0.42,1.61±0.42).Boys depression was significantly positive correlated with its own demands/withdraw communication( r=0.222, P<0.01),and significantly positive correlated with girls demands/with-draw communication ( r=0.118, P< 0.05).Girls depression was significantly negative correlated with con-structive communication of their own( r=-0.407, P<0.01),and significantly negative correlated with the boys constructive communication ( r=-0.306, P<0.01). (2)Demand/withdraw communication could predict their own depression positively both for males and females( t=5.489,b=0.267, P<0.01, t=2.538,b=0.138, P<0.05).Constructive communication could predict depression negatively both for males and females( t=-5.158,b=0.382, P<0.01;t=-4.539,b=0.299, P<0.001 ).Males'' avoidance communication pattern could predict their own depression positively( t=1.918,b=0.174, P<0.05).(3)Males''constructive communication scores could predict females'' depression negatively( t=-3.306,b=0.189, P<0.01 ).(4)The consistency of communication pattern could influence couples'' depression. Conclusion Constructive communication con-tributes to lovers'' mental health and reduce the probability of their depression;Demand/withdraw communi-cation and avoidance communication increase their depression risk.