Early deficient parenting in depressed outpatients is associated with personality dysfunction and not with depression subtypes.
BACKGROUND
We investigated the associations between recollected levels of parental care and current symptomatology, axis I and axis II comorbidity and family psychiatric history in 248 depressed outpatients.


METHODS
The sample was divided into three approximately equal groups according to PBI scores. Current symptomatology was assessed with the SCL-90, SAS and HAM-17. Axis I and axis II comorbidity were assessed with the SCID-P and SCID-II respectively.


RESULTS
Deficient parenting was not associated with melancholia, age of onset or severity of depression. Significant linear associations were found for recurrent depression, comorbid substance disorder, current symptomatology and, of most significance, personality disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
Personality dysfunction may mediate the relation between early parental deprivation and adult psychopathology.


CONCLUSIONS
Possible limitations include retrospective recall of parental care and the state effects of depression on assessment.
Department of Psychological Medicine, Christchurch School of Medicine, New Zealand.
J D
JD
Carter
P R
PR
Joyce
R T
RT
Mulder
S E
SE
Luty
P F
PF
Sullivan
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009769:Object Attachment; D016487:Parenting; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors