A new research has disclosed that husbands' aggressive and unsociable behaviour worsens depression symptoms among their wives.

Around 10% of the US residents have depression, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

Lead researcher Christine Proulx, professor at Michigan University (MU), attributed some of it to marital antagonism.

Prof. Proulx said, "In the study, husbands' marital hostility was significantly related to increases in wives' symptoms of depression."

"The more hostile and anti-social behaviour exhibited by husbands, the more depressed their wives were after three years."

These discoveries suggested that hubbies' treatment of their wives drastically impacts their psychosomatic health and that aggressive behavior has a long-lasting effect on pairs that continues all through their spousal relationships.

On the contrary, warm, optimistic behaviour from hubbies decreased the pessimistic impact of their unfriendly behavior.

Anti-social behaviours are those that are self-centred, rebellious or show a lack of constraint; hostile behaviours are those that are annoyed, grave or refusing.

To assess aggressive and anti-social behaviours, the scientists determined and cyphered twenty-minute videos of pairs interacting in their homes. Symptoms of depressive disorder were self-described by those in the research.

"It's critical that professionals ask people experiencing depression about their close relationships and recognise that their spouse's behaviour influences how they feel about life and themselves, especially among women," Proulx said.

The scientists discovered no significant association between wives' aggressive behaviour and husbands' depressive disorder, unless major life events, such as a demise in the family or a job loss, were there.

The results of the study were released recently in the Journal of Family Psychology. (With Input from Agencies)