Relationships impact women's likelihood for depression and alcohol problems

By Staff Writer

According to scientists at the University of Michigan Health System, depression - unlike problems with alcohol or antisocial behavior - tends to increase with age among middle-aged, addiction-prone women.

The study, which was published in the journal Development and Psychopathology, evaluated families who were considered to be at risk for substance abuse. The researchers discovered that depression worsened among women whose romantic partners struggled with addiction and antisocial behavior. Their children's behavior also impacted their emotional health, as troublesome kids tended to increase hopelessness in their mothers.

Additionally, living in an unstable neighborhood with high resident turnover significantly affected the likelihood of a woman having problems with alcohol.

"Our findings demonstrate the complexity of the factors affecting changes in alcohol problems, antisocial behavior and depression for these women," the researchers concluded. "It's the network of relationships that influences these disorders over time."

Problem teens who engage in harmful behaviors may learn to make healthier lifestyle choices with the help of a therapeutic boarding school. These programs may give troubled youth the guidance and support they require to lead more productive lives.