Citation

Ehnvall A, Palm-Beskow A, Beskow J, Agren H. J. Affect. Disord. 2005; 86(2-3): 299-303.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jad.2005.01.011

PMID

15935251

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Qualitative aspects of childhood experiences are believed to have an impact on course in affective disorder. Does perception of parental rearing correlate to persistence of affective illness?
METHODS: In retrospective life charts were recorded every previous illness episode for 38 consecutive patients with treatment-refractory affective disorder. A semi-structured interview was used for collecting information about perception of parental rearing.
RESULTS: Ten patients perceived themselves as "unwanted" during childhood, and 28 as "wanted". These former were found to have a more malignant illness course, as measured by total days in illness, percent of life in illness, and illness days per episode.
LIMITATIONS: The patient sample was small and the findings require replication.
CONCLUSIONS: Perception of not having been wanted by parents during upbringing might be an important vulnerability factor in the persistence of depressive symptomatology into adult life.

Language: en

Keywords

Adult; Adult Children; Child; Child Rearing; Child, Unwanted; Depressive Disorder; Female; Humans; Life Change Events; Male; Parenting; Risk Factors; Self Concept; Suicide, Attempted; Sweden