1. 1 Stress-Triggered Depression Following Job Loss: Individuals, Couples, and Families George W. Howe Department of Psychology Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences George Washington University 202-994-8023 cfrgwh@gwumc.edu

2. 2 Acknowledgments: funding support National Institute of Mental Health R01 MH47292 R10 MH52817 R10 MH52913 R01 MH59855 R01 MH59863 2-P30-MH38330-17 2-R01-MH40859-15S1 National Institute of Drug Addiction R01-MH40859

3. 3 Screening in unemployment offices to identify job seekers in relationships. In-home interviews of both members of couple within 7 weeks of job loss, including videorecorded discussion between job seeker and partner. Repeated in-home interviews at 5 months (range 4 to 7 months) and 11 months (range 10.5 to 15 months) after job loss. Field study design Couples Unemployment Project (National Institute of Mental Health: R01 MH47292) 508 individuals (254 couples) at T1 Attrition: 10% at T2, 16% at T3. T1 sample characteristics: –Job seekers: 61% male, 44% African American –78% married, 22% living together at least 6 months –36% at least some high school, 49% at least some college, 15% graduate school –75% in range of skilled craftsmen, clerical sales, minor professional.

4. 4 Depressive Symptoms in the Year after Job Loss 036912 Months Since Job Loss 10 14 18 Depressive Symptoms Female Job Seeker Male Job Seeker Female Partner Male Partner Source: Howe, Levy, & Caplan, 2000

5. 5 Relationship Disruption Stressful Life Events Job Seeker Depressive Symptoms.20*.33*.14.26*.35*.26* Male Job Seeker Female Job Seeker Effects of relationship disruption for Job Seekers Howe, Levy, & Caplan, 2004

6. 6 Relationship Disruption Stressful Life Events Partner Depressive Symptoms.33*.21*.25.40*.39*.18 Male Partner Female Partner Effects of relationship disruption for Partners Howe, Levy, & Caplan, 2004

7. 7 Stressors Occupational Economic Interpersonal Depression Onset Maintenance Resolution Recruitment Effects Genetic Diatheses 5-HTTLPR Phenotypic Diatheses History of Depression Neuroticism Attribution Style Attachment Style Personal Vulnerability Sensitization Effects