Direct and Indirect Effects of Childhood Adversity on Adult Depression

• Published in: Community mental health journal Vol. 48; no. 2; pp. 187 - 192
• Main Authors: LaNoue, Marianna, Graeber, David, de Hernandez, Brisa Urquieta, Warner, Teddy D., Helitzer, Deborah L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01-04-2012; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adult; Adult Survivors of Child Abuse - psychology; Adults; Adverse childhood experiences; Adversity; Child development; Childhood; Clinical outcomes; Community and Environmental Psychology; Critical incidents; Depression; Depression - epidemiology; Depression - etiology; Depression - physiopathology; Female; Health sciences; Humans; Indirect effects; Male; Mediation; Mediators; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Mental depression; Middle Aged; Original Paper; Pilot Projects; Primary care; Psychiatry; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - complications; Suicides & suicide attempts; Surveys and Questionnaires; Childhood adversity; Adult adversity; Depression; Mediation
• ISSN: 0010-3853; 1573-2789
• DOI: 10.1007/s10597-010-9369-2

Exposure to adverse events in childhood is a predictor of subsequent exposure to adverse events in adulthood, and both are predictors of depression in adults. The degree to which adult depression has a direct effect of childhood adversity versus an indirect effect mediated by adult adversity has not previously been reported. We report data collected from 210 adult participants regarding childhood and adult adversity and current symptoms of depression. Mediation of the relationship between childhood adversity and adult depression by adult adversity was statistically assessed to evaluate the relative direct and indirect effects of childhood adversity on current depression levels in adults. Both the direct effect of childhood adversity on adult depression and the indirect effect, mediated by adulthood events, were significant. Therefore, partial mediation of the relationship between childhood adversity and adult symptoms of depression by adult adverse events was found in the sample. Implications for treatment are presented.