Two hormones predict depression symptoms in newlywed women

What is it about?

We measured levels of two hormones -- cortisol and DHEAS -- at times before, during and after newlywed couples discussed a major area of disagreement in their relationship. We found that wives who showed either high levels or low levels of both hormones reported greater symptoms of depression early in the marriage (married less than 7 months) as well as 2 years and 3.5 years into the marriage.

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Why is it important?

These findings underscore the importance of measuring the combined effects of different hormones (in this case, cortisol and DHEAS) in predicting depression symptoms as well as the importance of taking into account the context in which hormones are measured (in this case, in the context of married couples' discussions of disagreements) and gender.