30 married couples in which one spouse was hospitalized with a diagnosis of depressive syndrome testified by psychological tests (ACL, MPI, STAI, Self-perception Sheet, Zung SRDS) were examined. Taking into account the literature concerned with the role of improperly functioning couples, the author of the study tried to determine the influence of the healthy spouse's personal character and his/her patterns of behavior on their ill partners. It was found out that the mechanism of the relationship is different depending whether the patient is a wife or a husband. The healthy spouse's mental balance had a positive influence on the patients, independently of sex. A higher level of symptoms and depressive behavior of men was connected with good functioning and adaptation of their wives. On the other hand, the women were having more depressive symptoms if their husbands were submissive and emotionally unstable. It might be connected with the ill spouse's feeling of failing as a wife or husband. The findings may be important for the family therapy of depressed people.