The Course of Depressive Affect in Navy Wives During Family Separation

Reported a 7-mo study on the depressive affect scores of 31 wives of US naval personnel aboard ships that were deployed. Ss' scores were significantly higher than the depressive affect of 20 wives whose husbands were at home. The onset of this depressive affect occurred prior to the departure of husbands and remained elevated throughout the separation period. Younger Ss were likely to experience higher levels of separation-related depressive affect.