Childhood trauma doubles depression risk in adulthood, study finds
A recent analysis of the German National Cohort (NAKO) shows that people who experienced trauma such as abuse or neglect during their childhood or adolescence were around twice as likely to develop depression in adulthood. The links were particularly pronounced in cases of emotional abuse and neglect. The gender differences in depression appeared to be linked primarily to the fact that women were…
A study analyzing data from the German National Cohort (NAKO) has found that individuals who experienced childhood trauma, such as abuse or neglect, are nearly twice as likely to develop depression in adulthood. The research, led by the Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), examined the links between various forms of childhood trauma and the burden of depression, as well as any gender-specific differences.
The study, which included 159,045 participants aged 19 to 72, revealed that nearly a quarter of the participants reported at least one form of childhood trauma, and 13% had experienced depression at some point in their lives. Women were more likely to report emotional abuse and neglect, while men were more likely to report physical abuse.
The researchers emphasize the importance of early prevention and protective measures, particularly against emotional abuse and neglect, to reduce the long-term impact of depression.
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