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. 2014 Sep;31(9):729-36.
doi: 10.1002/da.22294. Epub 2014 Aug 8.

Association between early temperament and depression at 18 years

Helen Bould  1 , Ricardo Araya, Rebecca M Pearson, Lexine Stapinski, Rebecca Carnegie, Carol Joinson
Affiliations

Association between early temperament and depression at 18 years

Helen Bould et al. Depress Anxiety. 2014 Sep.

Abstract

Background: Early childhood temperament, particularly negative emotionality (high tendency to show distress), may be a risk factor for subsequent depression.

Methods: Using data from a large UK cohort (Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children), we examined the association between temperament on the Emotionality Activity Sociability Questionnaire at age 6 and ICD-10 depression at 18. Results were adjusted for a range of confounders.

Results: Children with high emotionality scores at age 6 had a 20% (7-36%) increase in the odds of being diagnosed with depression at age 18.

Conclusions: Depression at 18 years has an early developmental diathesis, which means we may be able to identify children at risk of developing depression in young adulthood.

Keywords: ALSPAC; EAS; depression; emotionality; temperament.

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