[Familial transmission of depression: the importance of harm avoidance].
BACKGROUND
Previous research about the aetiology of depression has analysed how depression-associated personality traits influence familial transmission. Using the community-based sample of the Greifswald Family Study, we investigated longitudinally to which extent the temperament factor harm avoidance influences the correlation between parent's depression and the depression of their offspring (with regard to possible sex differences).


METHODS
To test this familial transmission a structural equation model was conducted with the data of 193 children (mean age 19.5, SD=2.41) and their biological parents. Depression was assessed with structured clinical interviews, and harm avoidance with Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI, JTCI).


RESULTS
The harm avoidance scores of the mothers were significantly correlated with the harm avoidance scores of their children, but the correlation of the father's and children's scores did not reach significance. The extent of harm avoidance at the first assessment of the 14-year-old children predicted depression 5 years later.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate the importance of personality as a vulnerability marker for developing affective disorders. The results are discussed with respect to prevention programmes for children and parents with depression, especially if they exhibit strongly avoidant or anxious behaviour.
Arbeitseinheit Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie am Psychologischen Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Hauptstraße 47-51, 69117 Heidelberg, Deutschland. ines.ulrich@psychologie.uni-heidelberg.de
I
I
Ulrich
M
M
Stopsack
C
C
Spitzer
H-J
HJ
Grabe
H J
HJ
Freyberger
S
S
Barnow
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D019263:Dysthymic Disorder / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D040261:Harm Reduction; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013694:Temperament; D055815:Young Adult
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