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Childhood adversities and adult depression: basic patterns of association in a US national survey

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

Ronald C. Kessler  and
William J. Magee
Ronald C. Kessler*
Affiliation:
Department of Sociology and Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, USA
William J. Magee
Affiliation:
Department of Sociology and Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, USA
*
1Address for correspondence: Dr R. C. Kessler, Institute for Social Research, The University of Michigan, Box 1248, Ann Arbor, MI 48106–1248, USA.
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Synopsis

The long-term relationships between various forms of childhood adversity and adult episodes of major depression are explored in a representative household survey of the United States adult (age 25 +) population. Seven of the eight childhood adversities considered are significantly associated with recent (12-month) episodes of depression. These effects are largely indirect consequences of some childhood adversities leading to a life history of depression and prior depression leading to new episodes. Only three of the eight childhood adversities directly affect recent onset or recurrence. The paper closes with a discussion of implications for future research on the long-term effects of childhood adversities.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 23 , Issue 3 , August 1993 , pp. 679 - 690
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

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