| dc.description.abstract | This study examined interpersonal reactions to depressed individuals as a function of
the sex of a depressed person, and the sex and sex-role beliefs of the respondent.
Egalitarian and traditional participants of both sexes viewed videotapes of an
interaction between a clinically depressed individual and a partner. All possible
combinations of sex pairings between the depressed individual and the partner were
used. Participants viewed the videotapes which contained a partner who was of the
same sex as them. Participants’ change in moods, interpersonal reaction and ratings
of masculinity/femininity of the depressed person were assessed. Results indicated
that exposure to depressed individuals was associated with increased negative moods
(sadness, hostility and impatience) and decreased positive moods (happiness,
friendliness and relaxation). Depressed individuals were also seen as more feminine
and less masculine than their non-depressed counterparts. Additionally, females, but
not males, rejected depressed people more than non-depressed people. Traditional
individuals rejected depressed males more than non-depressed males. Egalitarian
participants rejected depressed females more than non-depressed females. Overall, the
results support previous works that depression is seen as feminine (Hammen & Peters,
1978; Landrine, 1988; Tan & Maxton, 1993) and that it induces negative moods in
others (e.g., Boswell & Murray, 1981; Gotlib & Beatty, 1985; Hammen & Peters,
1978; Strack & Coyne, 1983; Siegal & Alloy, 1990; Tan & Maxton, 1993).
Interpersonal rejection seems to be affected jointly by the sex of the depressed person and of the respondent and the respondent’s sex-role beliefs. | |
