title: The loss of a parent during childhood as a risk factor for depression.
abstract: While the loss of a parent during childhood may put a person at risk for depression, many studies have failed to confirm the importance of this risk factor. Nevertheless, the relationship between the loss of a parent and depression is of clinical importance. This paper reviews studies of the loss of a parent as a risk factor for depression. In addition, relevant data from these studies were pooled using meta-analytic techniques. It was found that for females there was a significant association between the loss of one's mother before age 11 and depression, and that losing one's mother during early childhood may double their risk of depression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta.
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Patten
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008426:Maternal Deprivation; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D010333:Paternal Deprivation; D010553:Personality Development; D012307:Risk Factors