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Pediatric Mood Disorders Clinic
Teaching Rounds

General and Specific Childhood Risk Factors for Depression and Drug Disorders by Early Adulthood

Natalie Hogan: MS-3

Reinherz, Helen Z., Giaconia, Rose M. et al. (2000), General and Specific Childhood Risk Factors for Depression and Drug Disorders by Early Adulthood. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry, 39:2, 223-31

The above article sought to distinguish between general and specific risk factors in childhood that could predict depression and drug disrders in early adulthood. Researchers found sibling substance use disorders predicted depression and drug disorders for both genders. They also found that feelings of anxiety, depression and peer rejection were general predictors for both depression and drug disorders in females. Specific risk factors for depression were parental depression and anxious/depressed behavior in both genders and peer problems for males. Specific risk factors for drug abuse/dependence were larger family size, lower socioeconomic status, hyperactivity, attention problems and aggression. Parental substance abuse and having younger parents were specific risk factors for drug disorders in males. They concluded that these risk factors facilitate early identification of those children prone to depression and/or drug disorders.