A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology says having a neurotic or anxious spouse may hinder your recovery after a major health crisis, while having a positive spouse can help it.
Researchers assessed personality, signs of depression and marital satisfaction of 111 coronary artery bypass patients and their spouses before surgery and 18 months after. They found that patients married to neurotic, anxious spouses were more likely to feel depressed a year and a half after the surgery. Meanwhile, patients being cared for by an optimistic spouse reported fewer health problems and symptoms of depression at the follow-up.
Depression has been increasingly recognized to be a factor in hindering recovery after heart attack.
"Our study suggests that there's a distinct possibility that the spouse's personality can increase depression which may then lead to these negative physical outcomes."
Turning the tables to look at the affects of the recoverer on the non-patient spouse, researchers likewise found that caring for someone who was neurotic or depressed increased levels of depression and strain on the caretaker.
Interestingly, the personality of one's spouse made little difference in either scenario if the marriage was a happy one:
"Being married to a neurotic, anxious person was only harmful for those who were unhappy in their marriage," [study co-author John M.] Ruiz said. "For those happy in their marriage, spouse neuroticism appeared to have little influence. Hence, the findings highlight the importance of personality in marriage and health, but also support the notion that 'love conquers all.'"
Read more: Spouse's Personality Influences Your Chances Of Recovery From Serious Illness
Related: Depression After Heart Attack Strong Indicator of Future Health
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