Several scholars have advanced theoretical models to explain the complex associations between depression and romantic relationship distress, with much of this work derived from interpersonal and cognitive clinical conceptualizations. Although decades of research demonstrate reciprocal links between romantic relationship distress and depression, this work is often siloed, tackling this issue from either an interpersonal or cognitive-clinical perspective. Because neither approach alone has sufficient explanatory power, our understanding of how and why these associations unfold is significantly limited. In response to calls for greater integration, we advanced the Dyadic Partner Schema Model (DPSM; Wilde & Dozois, 2019). The DPSM proposes that schemas about oneself and one's partner (in particular, the structure or organization of these schemas) help explain the bidirectional and cyclical associations between depression and relationship problems. This presentation outlines the main tenets of the DPSM and describes research that empirically tested the impact of partner-schema structures using video-mediated recall of conflict discussions, behavioral coding of couple interactions, longitudinal designs, and daily diary methodologies. The results indicate that negative partner-schema structures are associated with poorer relationship adjustment, satisfaction, and commitment in coupled individuals. In romantic dyads, these schemas also relate to maladaptive attributions, greater relationship rumination, and dysfunctional communication behaviours, as assessed by both self-report and observer ratings. Partner schemas are also associated with one's own and one's partner's perceptions of worse relationship quality and depressive symptoms. These associations emerge not only in cross-sectional self-reports, but in-vivo lab discussions and more generalizable day-to-day contexts. The implications of these findings for science and practice are addressed, and directions for future research discussed.