Childhood adversities and adult depression: an experimental study on childhood depressogenic markers

Our study was aimed at verifying whether the number and frequency of childhood neurotic traits and stressful experiences in depressed subjects are statistically different from those seen in the general population or in patients with anxiety disorders. The three groups of subjects completed the MMPI and data on early adverse events were obtained retrospectively by means of a structured interview. The comparison among the groups and between the depressed group and the group with anxiety disorders revealed in the depressed group a number and frequency of some childhood adversities significantly different front the other groups. These results confirm the hypothesis that childhood adversities can increase the risk of adult depression. Our results also provide data on which childhood stressful experiences should be focused on for reducing the risk of depression in adulthood. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.