TY - JOUR
T1 - Childhood adversity, recent life events and depression in late life
AU - Comijs, H.C.
AU - Beekman, A.T.F.
AU - Smit, F.
AU - Bremmer, M.
AU - van Tilburg, T.G.
AU - Deeg, D.J.H.
PY - 2007/11/1
Y1 - 2007/11/1
N2 - Background: The study investigates whether persons who have experienced childhood adversity are more likely to develop depressive symptoms when faced with recent events. Method: Data were used from a population-based sample, aged 55 to 85 years (n = 1887), which were not depressed at baseline. Childhood adversities and recent stressful life events were retrospectively assessed. Depressive symptoms were measured with the CES-D. Results: 14.4% of our sample experienced adverse events during childhood (< 18 yrs) and 35.4% experienced recent events. Associations of depressive symptoms were found with both, childhood adversity (OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.21-2.69) and recent life events (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.01-2.00). The effect of recent events on depressive symptoms was not modified by childhood adversity. Limitations: Underreporting may be present due to unwillingness to report embarrassing events or to disclose painful memories. Conclusions: No evidence was found for the assumption that older persons were more vulnerable for depression in reaction to recent life events when they were exposed to childhood adversity. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
AB - Background: The study investigates whether persons who have experienced childhood adversity are more likely to develop depressive symptoms when faced with recent events. Method: Data were used from a population-based sample, aged 55 to 85 years (n = 1887), which were not depressed at baseline. Childhood adversities and recent stressful life events were retrospectively assessed. Depressive symptoms were measured with the CES-D. Results: 14.4% of our sample experienced adverse events during childhood (< 18 yrs) and 35.4% experienced recent events. Associations of depressive symptoms were found with both, childhood adversity (OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.21-2.69) and recent life events (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.01-2.00). The effect of recent events on depressive symptoms was not modified by childhood adversity. Limitations: Underreporting may be present due to unwillingness to report embarrassing events or to disclose painful memories. Conclusions: No evidence was found for the assumption that older persons were more vulnerable for depression in reaction to recent life events when they were exposed to childhood adversity. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
KW - Childhood adversity
KW - Late-life depression
KW - Life events
KW - Stress
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=34548844445&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2007.01.012
DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2007.01.012
M3 - Article
C2 - 17291592
SN - 0165-0327
VL - 103
SP - 243
EP - 246
JO - Journal of affective disorders
JF - Journal of affective disorders
IS - 1-3
ER -