Interpersonal Relations And Psychological Functioning Among Young Adults In India

Depression is a major mental health disorder worldwide, and research show that a majority of individuals with depression reside in low and middle-income countries. In India alone, more than 57 million people are estimated to be affected, making depression a pressing public health concern. Rates are especially high among young adults and urban dwellers. Yet, despite its prevalence, there is limited research examining the psychosocial factors that contribute to depression in this population.

While completing her Ph.D. at Miami University (and now an Assistant Professor at the University of Cincinnati), Dr. Pankhuri Aggarwal sought to address this gap using an MRI grant. Her project investigated culturally informed perspectives on depression among urban, educated, middle-class young adults in India. Building on prior exploratory work suggesting that impaired interpersonal relations play a central role in depression, Dr. Aggarwal examined both concurrent and longitudinal associations between the quality of interpersonal relations (with immediate and extended family members) and depressive symptoms.

The study also explored two moderating factors. Specifically, she investigated:

1.     Whether the inclusion of others in one’s definition of self-influenced the relationship between poor interpersonal quality (with mother, father, or another family member) and depressive symptoms.

2.     Whether reduced family cohesion with parents during the COVID-19 pandemic moderated the association between poor parental relations and depressive symptoms.

A total of 548 young adults, mean age of 21, 67% women and 33% men participated in the study and completed online questionnaires at two-time points separated by six months. 

Key Findings:

·       Poor quality of relations with mother, father, and other family members was associated with greater symptoms of depression.

·       Among women, an unexpected longitudinal effect emerged: poor quality of relations with other family members (primarily brothers) at Time 1 predicted lower depressive symptoms at Time 2.

·       Cross-sectionally, lower family cohesion was associated with higher depressive symptoms.

·       Greater inclusion of parents in one’s self-definition was associated with lower depressive symptoms concurrently.

Clinical Implications:

This study was the first to empirically examine the links between poor quality of interpersonal relations and depressive symptoms among urban, educated, middle-class young adults in India. Findings underscore the importance of considering gender differences when interpreting the role of family dynamics in depression. They also suggest that clinicians working with young adults in India should systematically assess the quality of relationships not only with parents but also with siblings, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. By situating depression within the broader framework of interpersonal functioning and cultural context, this work contributes to the development of more culturally attuned approaches to conceptualizing and treating depression in India.