By David Wright
Anxiety and depression do not exist only “inside” a person. They can shape how people relate to others—and relationship stress can, in turn, intensify emotional symptoms. A new 2026 study in the Journal of Clinical Psychology adds useful detail to this two-way relationship.
What the new study found
Researchers Jacqueline Peters, Peter J. de Jong, and Marije aan het Rot analyzed 1,800 participants from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety. They compared people with current, past, or no lifetime anxiety and/or depression and examined general interpersonal distress and interpersonal style.
Participants with current anxiety or depression reported more interpersonal distress and a more submissive interpersonal style than people with past or no lifetime disorders. A cold-submissive style was also associated with greater comorbidity and chronicity even after demographic adjustment.
The practical message is not that one relationship style “causes” anxiety or depression. It is that interpersonal patterns can provide useful information about how symptoms are experienced, maintained, and treated.
Why relationship patterns can matter
When people feel anxious, depressed, rejected, depleted, or unsafe, they may withdraw, avoid conflict, suppress needs, or become less emotionally available. Those reactions can be understandable attempts to cope. But over time, they may also make it harder to ask for support, solve problems collaboratively, or maintain closeness.
Three questions worth reflecting on
- Do I become more distant when I am struggling? Withdrawal may reduce stimulation temporarily but can also reduce access to support.
- Do I become overly accommodating or afraid to state my needs? Chronic self-silencing can create resentment, exhaustion, or misunderstanding.
- Do I interpret neutral interactions through a threat or rejection lens? Anxiety and depression can influence attention, expectations, and social interpretation.
Whole-person care includes interpersonal functioning
The study’s authors emphasize the clinical value of incorporating interpersonal assessment into treatment planning. That does not mean every person with anxiety or depression needs the same intervention. It means that understanding how symptoms show up in relationships can help make care more individualized.
At Atlanta Holistic Mental Health & Wellness, we view emotional health in context: symptoms, relationships, habits, stressors, meaning, and the environments in which people live and work all matter.
When to seek help
If anxiety, low mood, withdrawal, conflict, hopelessness, or relationship strain is persistent or interfering with daily life, professional support can help clarify what is happening and what options may be useful. If there is an immediate safety concern or crisis, seek emergency or crisis support right away.
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Source
Peters J, de Jong PJ, aan het Rot M. “Distant and Distressed: Interpersonal Problems in Anxiety and Depression.” Journal of Clinical Psychology. Published online September 12, 2026. PubMed.
Educational information only; not a substitute for individualized medical or mental-health care.
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