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Cited by 549Child Abuse and TraumaChild and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional DevelopmentPsychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research

The role of specific early trauma in adult depression: A meta-analysis of published literature. Childhood trauma and adult depression

Mandelli, L., Petrelli, C., Serretti, A.·2015·European Psychiatry
DOI 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2015.04.007
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Abstract

Background: A large literature has long focused on the role of trauma in childhood and risk for psychological disorders in adulthood. Despite several studies performed, to date, it is not clear which weight have different childhood stressors specifically on the risk for depression in adult life. In the present study, we performed a meta-analysis of the literature in order to assess the effective role of childhood traumas as risk factor in the onset of depressive disorders in adults. Methods: Previously published papers investigating the exposure to childhood trauma and their association with depression in adult subjects were retrieved in literature through common databases. Meta-analysis was conducted by the RevMan software. The quality of studies was evaluated by an adapted version of the New-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale; bias publication was evaluated by the Egger's test. Meta-regression analysis was employed to detect potential confounders and/or moderating variables. Finally, a sensitivity analysis was post-hoc performed to control for potential confounders. Results: Emotional abuse showed the strongest association with depression (OR = 2.78) followed by neglect (OR = 2.75) and sexual abuse (OR = 2.42). Significant associations were also found for domestic violence (OR = 2.06) and physical abuse (OR = 1.98). Nevertheless, in post-hoc analysis, emotional abuse and neglect showed the strongest associations with depression as compared to other kinds of child trauma. Conclusions: These findings support the role of neglect and emotional abuse as significantly associated to depression. Sexual/physical abuse or violence in family may be unspecific risk factors for mental disturbance. Other kind of trauma may play a less relevant role in risk of adult depression, though they should be not underestimated.

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  • Childhood trauma, especially neglect and emotional abuse, is strongly associated with depression in adulthood (OR 2.78 for neglect and 2.75 for emotional abuse).

    “a meta-analysis of 26 studies found that childhood trauma, especially neglect and emotional abuse, was strongly associated with depression in adulthood (OR 2.78 for neglect and 2.75 for emotional abuse).”

    From Epigenetics and depression (2019) · cites this paper as [10]

  • Early life stress increases the likelihood of developing depression, suicidal behavior, and various other psychiatric disorders during adulthood.

    “Experiencing stress in the early life, commonly known as Early life stress (ELS), increases the likelihood of developing depression, suicidal behavior, and various other psychiatric disorders during adulthood.26,197–200”

    From Epigenetic regulation in major depression and other stress-related disorders: molecular mechanisms, clinical relevance and therapeutic potential (2023) · cites this paper as [197]

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Authors
Mandelli, L., Petrelli, C., & Serretti, A.
Affiliations
  • University of Bologna (IT)
  • University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (IT)
Corresponding author
Mandelli, L.
ORCID
Venue
European Psychiatry
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Published
2015-06-13
Volume
30
Issue
6
Pages
665-680
ISSN
  • 0924-9338 (ISSN-L)
  • 1778-3585
DOI
10.1016/j.eurpsy.2015.04.007
OpenAlex
W1732771611
Cited by
549
References
20
Citations by year
2026: 39 · 2025: 67 · 2024: 59 · 2023: 63 · 2022: 64 · 2021: 67 · 2020: 62 · 2019: 44 · 2018: 40 · 2017: 27 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 3
FWCI
3.96
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • European Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Archivio istituzionale della ricerca (Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
Keywords
childhood trauma, adult depression, emotional abuse, emotional neglect, sexual abuse, physical abuse, domestic violence, risk factors, depressive disorders
MeSH terms
Psychological Trauma, Adult, Child, Child Abuse, Depressive Disorder, Female, Humans, Male, Risk Factors, Age of Onset, Adult Children

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