The protective role of friendship on the effects of childhood abuse and depression

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Abigail Powers, Emory University; Kerry Ressler, Emory University; Rebekah G. Bradley, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2009
• Publisher: Wiley: 12 months
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: This article is a US Government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America. Published in 2008 by Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/da.20534/abstract
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Depression and Anxiety
• ISSN: 1091-4269
• Volume: 26
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 46
• End Page: 53
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was primarily supported by National Institutes of Mental Health (MH071537).; Support was also Emory and Grady Memorial Hospital General Clinical Research Center, NIH National Centers for Research Resources (M01 RR00039), and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund.
• Keywords: Women; Child Abuse; Childhood Maltreatment; Social Support; Depression; Trauma
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Mental Health; Psychology, Developmental; Psychology, Social

Abstract

Background This study explored the relationships between childhood maltreatment (sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, as well as neglect), adult depression, and perceived social support from family and friends. Methods As part of an NIH-funded study of risk and resilience at a public urban hospital in Atlanta, 378 men and women recruited from the primary care and obstetrics gynecology clinic waiting areas answered questions about developmental history, traumatic experiences, current relationship support, and depressive symptoms. Results Childhood emotional abuse and neglect proved more predictive of adult depression than childhood sexual or physical abuse. In females only, perceived friend social support protected against adult depression even after accounting for the contributions of both emotional abuse and neglect. Conclusions These findings may elucidate the particular importance of understanding the effects that emotional abuse and neglect have on adult depression and how perceived friendship support may provide a buffer for women with a history of early life stress who are at risk to develop adult depression.