Parent-child relations and the etiology of depression

Abstract

Three distinct methodologies have been used to investigate potential links between parent-child relations and the etiology of depression. These methodologies, as well as the findings obtained with each, are reviewed and critiqued. Irrespective of methodology type, several consistent findings emerge which suggest that specific patterns of parent-child relations may be involved in the etiology, maintenance, and/or expression of depressive disorder in children, adolescents, and adults. However, numerous methodological limitations seriously question the validity of these findings. Recommendations for conducting future research in this area are provided.