Environmental Exposure to Parental Depression Is Linked with Childhood Depression

Significant associations between parent and child symptoms of depression were found in both genetically unrelated and genetically related parent–child pairs.

The etiology and transmission of behavioral conditions, including depression, involve a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors. Symptoms of depression among parents and their children might develop from inherited factors, direct environmental exposure to parental depression, or shared adversity. Researchers in the U.K. used a novel study design to measure the role of nature versus nurture in the development of childhood depression. They used standardized questionnaires to assess parental depression symptoms in 852 families with a child born by in vitro fertilization and assessed children for symptoms of depression/anxiety at age 4–10 years and 7–13 years.

Significant associations between parent and child symptoms of depr…

Reviewing Author

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics