Childhood adversity and adult depressive disorder: A case-controlled study in Malaysia

• Published in: East Asian archives of psychiatry Vol. 20; no. 2; pp. 87 - 91
• Main Authors: Loh, S F, Maniam, T, Tan, S M K, Badi'ah, Y
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hong Kong Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists 01.06.2010; The Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists Ltd; Hong Kong Academy of Medicine
• Subjects: Adults; Adverse childhood experiences; Child abuse; Child abuse & neglect; Child psychopathology; Child sexual abuse; Complications and side effects; Depression, Mental; Development and progression; Drug abuse; Females; Marriage; Mental depression; Mental disorders; Mental health; Parent and child; Parenting; Parents & parenting; Psychological aspects; Questionnaires; Risk factors; Self report; Sex crimes; Sexual abuse; Siblings; Sociodemographics; Suicidal behavior; Suicides & suicide attempts; Malaysia
• ISSN: 2078-9947; 2224-7041

Objective: To describe the association between childhood adversity and depression in adult depressed patients in a Malaysian population. Methods: Fifty-two patients, who met the criteria for major depressive disorder or dysthymia according to the Structured Clinical Interview based on the revised 3rd edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, were used as cases and compared with 52 controls matched for age and sex. Cases and controls were assessed using a sexual and physical abuse questionnaire and a Parental Bonding Instrument. Results: There was a positive relationship between childhood abuse in general and childhood physical abuse with adult depressive disorder in particular. Nearly a quarter (23%) of depressed patients reported being abused in childhood compared with none in the control group. There was no significant association between childhood loss and depression in adulthood. Low level of parental care during childhood was significantly correlated with adult depressive disorder. Conclusion: Clinicians should assiduously seek a history of childhood adversities in adult patients with depression. This information can influence clinical management by way of implementing secondary preventive measures. In all depressed patients, mental health professionals also need to look out for their poor attachment with parents during childhood. This may enable interventions directed at parenting skills and improved attachment relationships with their own children. These types of interventions together with pharmacotherapy may provide the optimal approach to the management of depression in adults and help prevent the cycle of depression perpetuating itself in the next generation.