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BMC Psychiatry

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Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

Parental separation in childhood as a risk factor for depression in adulthood: a community-based study of adolescents screened for depression and followed up after 15 years

Authors: Hannes Bohman, Sara Brolin Låftman, Aivar Päären, Ulf Jonsson

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2017

Abstract

Background

Earlier research has investigated the association between parental separation and long-term health outcomes among offspring, but few studies have assessed the potentially moderating role of mental health status in adolescence. The aim of this study was to analyze whether parental separation in childhood predicts depression in adulthood and whether the pattern differs between individuals with and without earlier depression.

Methods

A community-based sample of individuals with adolescent depression in 1991–93 and matched non-depressed peers were followed up using a structured diagnostic interview after 15 years. The participation rate was 65% (depressed n = 227; non-depressed controls n = 155). Information on parental separation and conditions in childhood and adolescence was collected at baseline. The outcome was depression between the ages 19–31 years; information on depression was collected at the follow-up diagnostic interview. The statistical method used was binary logistic regression.

Results

Our analyses showed that depressed adolescents with separated parents had an excess risk of recurrence of depression in adulthood, compared with depressed adolescents with non-separated parents. In addition, among adolescents with depression, parental separation was associated with an increased risk of a switch to bipolar disorder in adulthood. Among the matched non-depressed peers, no associations between parental separation and adult depression or bipolar disorder were found.

Conclusions

Parental separation may have long-lasting health consequences for vulnerable individuals who suffer from mental illness already in adolescence.

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Title: Parental separation in childhood as a risk factor for depression in adulthood: a community-based study of adolescents screened for depression and followed up after 15 years
Authors: Hannes Bohman
Sara Brolin Låftman
Aivar Päären
Ulf Jonsson
Publication date: 01-12-2017
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-017-1252-z

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Parental separation in childhood as a risk factor for depression in adulthood: a community-based study of adolescents screened for depression and followed up after 15 years

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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