Recently, research has been conducted using an interactional understanding of depression, which views depression as a disorder exacerbated by a pathogenic social system. The interaction between intimate social partners seems especially relevant. Couples (N=26) participated in a study of depressed out-patients and their spouses and a matched control group of couples who had no depressed partner but who were suffering from marital problems. Eight interactions between each couple were analyzed. Results showed that couples with a depressed partner were significantly different from control couples. The interaction between couples without a depressed partner was positive, supportive, synchronical, and reciprocal. In contrast, the couples with a depressed partner showed an uneven, negative, asymmetrical interaction. The depressed partners complained about negative feelings and were self-centered. Their nondepressed partners expressed positive feelings and self-esteem. The findings are in congruence with an interactional understanding of depression. (Author/JAC)