title: The protective role of friendship on the effects of childhood abuse and depression.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study explored the relationships between childhood maltreatment (sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, as well as neglect), adult depression, and perceived social support from family and friends.
  
  
  METHODS
  As part of an NIH-funded study of risk and resilience at a public urban hospital in Atlanta, 378 men and women recruited from the primary care and obstetrics gynecology clinic waiting areas answered questions about developmental history, traumatic experiences, current relationship support, and depressive symptoms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Childhood emotional abuse and neglect proved more predictive of adult depression than childhood sexual or physical abuse. In females only, perceived friend social support protected against adult depression even after accounting for the contributions of both emotional abuse and neglect.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings may elucidate the particular importance of understanding the effects that emotional abuse and neglect have on adult depression, and how perceived friendship support may provide a buffer for women with a history of early life stress who are at risk to develop adult depression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 954 Gatewood Drive, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.
authors.forename: Abigail
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Powers
authors.forename: Kerry J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Ressler
authors.forename: Rebekah G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Bradley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054523:Adult Survivors of Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D055500:Resilience, Psychological; D012944:Social Support; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology