Depression in Father and Child Are Linked Regardless of Genetic Relation

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Key TakeawaysA new study suggests depression can be transmitted from parent to child whether they’re genetically related or not.The findings reveal a strong association between the psychopathology of fathers and children in both biological and blended families.Depression can present differently in children than adults, and parent-child conflict can have a big impact on a child’s mental health.

Key Takeaways

A new study suggests depression can be transmitted from parent to child whether they’re genetically related or not.The findings reveal a strong association between the psychopathology of fathers and children in both biological and blended families.Depression can present differently in children than adults, and parent-child conflict can have a big impact on a child’s mental health.

The classicnature vs. nurture debatein psychology centers on whether certain behavioral traits andpsychopathologiesare genetic (nature) or learned (nurture). Do we inherit ourpersonalitiesand preferences biologically or do we adopt them based on our environment and experiences?

It’s an age old argument but today, most experts agree that it’s not either/or, but both.In line with this contemporary thinking is a new study that suggestsdepressionis transmissible between parents and children, regardless of whether they’re biologically related.

The Research

Researchers from Penn State and Michigan State Universities evaluated 720 families of varying natural genetic relatedness. The families were participating in the Nonshared Environment in Adolescent Development (NEAD) study and 58.5% of these families included a stepparent—almost always a stepfather.

Parents and children completed questionnaires pertaining to depression symptoms, psychopathology symptoms, andparent-child conflict. Researchers then examined the association between parental depression and childhood psychopathology and compared biological to step relationships.

The results showed that paternal depression was consistently associated with child psychopathology and behavior problems, such asantisocial tendenciesor attention difficulties, regardless of whether the two were biologically related.

Eden Garcia-Balis, LMFT

These results were consistent in blended families as well, where the father was genetically related to one child but not the other.In a release, researchers said they found this to be a confirmation of their results.

“We also found that much of this effect appeared to be a function of parent-child conflict,” said Alex Burt, study author and professor of clinical science at Michigan State, in a release.

“These kinds of findings add to the evidence that parent-child conflict plays a role as an environmental predictor of adolescent behaviors.”

It’s important to note the limitations of the study, as well. The study sample was predominantly white, which severely limits its ability to reflect the general population, and all children were between the ages of 11 and 18, which doesn’t account for how psychopathology can change with age or emerge later in development.

Signs Your Child May Be Struggling With Mental Health Issues

Nature vs. Nurture

So, genetics and environment both play a role in the mental outcomes for a child. With more than two decades of experience, marriage and family therapistEden Garcia-Balis, LMFT, has seen this play out in some of the children and families she’s treated.

“I would say that most laymen believe that genetics outweigh environmental factors, but the jury is out…Experts in the field understand the importance of both factors and their overwhelming impact on mental illness,” she explains.

Neuroscience and brain disorder expertGuochuan Emil Tsai, MD, PhD, founding CEO ofSyneuRx, agrees that environmental and biological factors can play off of one another.

“In general, depression is about half and half biological and non-biological factors. These two main driving forces impact each other. There’s good reason why identical twins may grow up to be two very different people with varied personalities and preferences.”

What to Know About Childhood Depression

Recognizing Childhood Depression

As the study also suggests, environmental changes can, to some extent, be made to prevent a child from experiencing the same mental struggles as a parent. As mentioned in the study, parent-child conflict is one area that can have a big impact.

If parents do notice their child is struggling with mental health issues, Garcia-Balis notes that the interventions that work for adults may not work for children.

In the same way, symptoms can present differently as well. When evaluating signs of depression in a child, look for persistence of symptoms, Garcia-Balis says.

Children may display a symptom here or there and not be depressed, but if a child consistently experiences physical ailments like a headache or stomachache, social withdrawal, vocal outbursts, changes in appetite or sleep patterns, or feelings of irritability,anger, sadness, or hopelessness, there may be a bigger issue at play.

Guochuan Emil Tsai, MD, PhDBetter nutrition, cognitively stimulating experience and, above all, good parenting can contribute to a positive health trajectory in your child’s life.

Guochuan Emil Tsai, MD, PhD

Better nutrition, cognitively stimulating experience and, above all, good parenting can contribute to a positive health trajectory in your child’s life.

Tsai notes that the effects of depression can accumulate over time, leading to other health problems down the road. With the number of children and teens experiencing depression on the rise,it’s best to take preventive measures if you’re concerned this could be an issue.

“Betternutrition, cognitively stimulating experience and, above all,good parentingcan contribute to a positive health trajectory in your child’s life,” Tsai says.

He adds that the path to good mental health is different for everyone. So, it’s always a smart decision to connect with a psychiatrist who can evaluate the situation and determine the next steps of your, or your child’s, mental health journey.

What This Means For YouDepression can be challenging to manage as an adult, let alone as a parent. Connecting with a mental health professional foryourselfand/oryour childcan ease the burden of taking the next steps toward mental wellness.

What This Means For You

Depression can be challenging to manage as an adult, let alone as a parent. Connecting with a mental health professional foryourselfand/oryour childcan ease the burden of taking the next steps toward mental wellness.

Parental Phubbing Leaves Kids Feeling Ignored and May Increase Depression

4 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Levitt M.Perceptions of nature, nurture and behaviour.Life Sci Soc Policy. 2013;9(1):13. doi:10.1186/2195-7819-9-13Burt SA, Clark DA, Neiderhiser JM.Illuminating the origins of the intergenerational transmission of psychopathology with a novel genetically informed design.Dev Psychopathol. 2022:1-11. doi:10.1017/s0954579422000451American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).Depression in fathers and children linked, regardless of genetic relatedness.EurekAlert!.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Anxiety and depression in children: Get the facts.

4 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Levitt M.Perceptions of nature, nurture and behaviour.Life Sci Soc Policy. 2013;9(1):13. doi:10.1186/2195-7819-9-13Burt SA, Clark DA, Neiderhiser JM.Illuminating the origins of the intergenerational transmission of psychopathology with a novel genetically informed design.Dev Psychopathol. 2022:1-11. doi:10.1017/s0954579422000451American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).Depression in fathers and children linked, regardless of genetic relatedness.EurekAlert!.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Anxiety and depression in children: Get the facts.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Levitt M.Perceptions of nature, nurture and behaviour.Life Sci Soc Policy. 2013;9(1):13. doi:10.1186/2195-7819-9-13Burt SA, Clark DA, Neiderhiser JM.Illuminating the origins of the intergenerational transmission of psychopathology with a novel genetically informed design.Dev Psychopathol. 2022:1-11. doi:10.1017/s0954579422000451American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).Depression in fathers and children linked, regardless of genetic relatedness.EurekAlert!.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Anxiety and depression in children: Get the facts.

Levitt M.Perceptions of nature, nurture and behaviour.Life Sci Soc Policy. 2013;9(1):13. doi:10.1186/2195-7819-9-13

Burt SA, Clark DA, Neiderhiser JM.Illuminating the origins of the intergenerational transmission of psychopathology with a novel genetically informed design.Dev Psychopathol. 2022:1-11. doi:10.1017/s0954579422000451

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).Depression in fathers and children linked, regardless of genetic relatedness.EurekAlert!.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Anxiety and depression in children: Get the facts.

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